LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Coming off a run to its first national championship, the University of North Georgia softball team completed its historical campaign as the unanimous choice for No. 1 in the final NFCA Division II Poll of 2015.
Ranked in the top 10 for the majority of the season, the Nighthawks (54-8) received all 16 possible first-place votes after working their way through the NCAA Division II loser's bracket and taking home their athletic program's first national title. After being no-hit in its opener, UNG won its final five games, including a 5-0 victory over Dixie State in the championship game.
The Nighthawks finished 16 points ahead of the national runner-up Red Storm (52-8). Dixie State concluded its season with the furthest run at the championship and a No. 2 national ranking.
The remainder of the national top eight consisted of this year's participants at the Division II Softball Championship. National semifinalists, Shorter (43-17) and California (Pa.) (43-13) held down the No. 3 and No. 4 spots, respectively. Indianapolis (48-15), St. Mary's (Texas) (48-12), Adelphi (31-22) and Central Missouri (49-16) round out the top eight.
Missouri-St. Louis and Georgia College finished out the season in the top 10 after making appearances in the Super Regionals. The Tritons (48-8) fell in a hard fought three-game series to Indianapolis and the Bobcats (47-11) were defeated by the eventual national champions.
New to the top-25 for the first time this season are two more Super Regional participants, Florida Tech (38-20) and Tarleton State (33-22) at 19th and 22nd, respectively. Adelphi and No. 20 Sonoma State return to the rankings.
The NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the eight NCAA regions. 2015 records and previous week's rankings are shown with first-place votes in parentheses.
NFCA Division II Softball Poll - June 2, 2015 (Final)
(Included are: Rank, Team, 2015 Record, Totals, Prev. Rank)
1. North Georgia (16) 54-8 400 6
2. Dixie State 52-8 384 4
3. Shorter 43-17 357 24
4. California (Pa.) 43-13 347 21
5. Indianapolis 48-15 331 10
6. St. Mary's (Texas) 48-12 324 7
7. Adelphi 31-22 296 RV
8. Central Missouri 49-16 293 20
9. Missouri-St. Louis 48-8 275 1
10. Georgia College 47-11 235 8
11. Augustana (S.D.) 53-11 200 9
12. Valdosta State 48-9 196 2
13. West Texas A&M 45-11 182 3
14. Cal State Monterey Bay 47-12 170 5
15. Southern New Hampshire 35-9 168 15
16. West Virginia Wesleyan 38-10 149 22
17. California Baptist 42-11 125 11
18. Alabama-Huntsville 40-16 111 12
19. Florida Tech 38-20 110 RV
20. Sonoma State 42-21 108 RV
21. Caldwell 37-14-1 81 14
22. Tarleton State 33-22 79 NR
23. Winona State 46-14 72 13
24. North Alabama 38-14 53 19
25. Southern Indiana 39-11 49 17
Others Receiving Votes: Metro State 47, Humboldt State 40, Ashland 13, Anderson 4, Carson-Newman 1.
