LOUISVILLE, Ky. – It only lasted one week. Oklahoma, following a 14-0 thumping of then-No. 1 UCLA,  regained the No. 1 ranking in this week’s 2023 USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll. 

The Sooners (13-1), who received 31 of the 32 first-place votes, enjoyed a dominant 5-0 week at the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic. OU run-ruled four of its five opponents and outscored the opposition 50-4, while its pitching staff posted three shutouts against UCLA, RV Cal State Fullerton and RV Texas A&M.

UCLA returned to No. 2 after a 5-1 showing at the Nutter. Despite behind handed their first loss of the season, the Bruins added three more top-25 wins to their resume. They dumped then-No. 3 Florida 10-0 to open the tournament, along with wins over then-No. 18 Kentucky and then-No. 19 Northwestern. UCLA also topped Iowa and RV Texas A&M.

Oklahoma State, Clemson, Florida State and Arkansas each moved up one spot. The Cowgirls (13-1) put together an undefeated showing at New Mexico State’s Troy Cox Classic. They topped the host Aggies, UTEP, New Mexico twice, Nebraska and Cal State Bakersfield.

The fourth-ranked Tigers (15-1) suffered their first loss of the season to new-No. 7 Tennessee, but picked up wins over then-No. 17 Georgia, USF, UIC and two against Michigan State at USF’s Under Armor Classic.

Florida State is at No. 5 after winning six home games last week, while the Razorbacks (13-3) posted a 5-1 showing, which included a pair of wins over then-No. 13 Arizona.

The Lady Vols (11-1) rose five positions to No. 7. UT pitchers did not allow a run at the Under Armor Classic as UT outscored the opponents 35-0.

Taking a hit in the rankings was No. 8 Florida. The Gators (11-3) dropped five positions after a 1-3 weekend at the Mary Nutter. UF’s lone win came against UC Riverside (7-0). The Gators were run-ruled by UCLA and then-No. 22 Oregon and also dropped a one-run contest to RV Cal State Fullerton.

No. 9 Texas and No. 10 Virginia Tech split a pair of contests at UT’s Lone Star State Invitational. The Longhorns (11-2-1) and the Hokies (11-4) each defeated Texas Southern and Abilene Christian (twice).

Returning to the poll is No. 23 Arizona State, who swept a three-game home series against Iowa State. Wichita State enters the poll for the first time this season at No. 25. The Shockers (12-3) swept four games at the North Texas Invitational, defeating the host Mean Green and Northwestern State twice each.

The 2023 USA Today / NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by 32 NCAA Division I head coaches with one representing each of the NCAA’s Division I Conferences. Records reflect games played through Feb. 26, 2023.

2023 USA Today / NFCA Division I Top 25 Softball Coaches Poll

February 28 (Week 3)

New To Poll: No. 23 Arizona State, No. 25 Wichita State

Dropped Out: No. 21 Maryland, No. 23 UCF

Receiving Votes: Maryland (34), Louisiana (33), Cal State Fullerton (24), Texas A&M (20), Mississippi State (13), UCF (11), Charlotte (3), Evansville (2), San Diego State (2), Central Arkansas (1), Utah (1).

The 2023 USA Today / NFCA Division I Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by 32 NCAA Division I head coaches with one representing each of the NCAA’s Division I Conferences. Records reflect games played through Feb. 26.

2023 NFCA DI Top 25 Committee

Celebrating 40 years in 2023, the NFCA is the professional organization for fastpitch softball coaches. Known for its highly-regarded coaches polls and All-America awards, the NFCA also educates and supports softball coaches on a variety of different levels: from podcasts to awards, to in-person events and National Convention. 

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