Defending national champion Humboldt State and reigning California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) champion Cal State Stanislaus earned preseason national Top 25 rankings, in the 2009 National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll that was announced on Wednesday.
The Lumberjacks, who received 10 first-place votes, are ranked second while the Warriors garnered a No. 14 ranking.
Lock Haven, which totaled six first-place votes, earned the top spot in the poll and is coming off a 49-8 record in 2008.
Humboldt State concluded the 2008 campaign with a 57-18 overall record that included a 24-8 mark in CCAA play. The Lumberjacks, who defeated Emporia State, 1-0, for their second national title, concluded the year atop the final NFCA poll.
Cal State Stanislaus compiled a 31-23 overall record and finished second in the CCAA after posting a 20-12 conference mark. The Warriors captured the conference postseason tournament after defeating Cal State San Bernardino, 8-0, in the championship game.
Chico State, Cal State Stanislaus and Cal State Monterey Bay open their season on Sunday, February 1, while Cal State San Bernardino begins play on Tuesday, February 3. All nine CCAA teams will take part in the Mizuno Best of the West Invitational in Turlock beginning February 6.
2009 National Fastpitch Coaches Association Preseason Poll
1. Lock Haven (6) (49-8)
2. Humboldt State (10) (57-18)
3. St. Edwards (53-17)
4. Francis Marion (39-16)
5. Ferris State (35-18)
6. LIU-C.W. Post (48-16)
7. Southeastern Oklahoma (53-12)
8. Winona State (38-15)
9. Tampa (35-13)
10. North Georgia (38-15)
11. Kutztown (48-13)
12. Lewis (38-18)
13. Barry (44-8)
14. Cal State Stanislaus (31-23)
15. St. Leo (37-15)
16. Georgian Court (39-16)
17. Colorado School of Mines (38-19)
18. Central Missouri (36-22)
19. Georgia College & State (40-14)
20. Bloomsburg (51-11)
21. Minnesota State Mankato (42-16)
22. Caldwell College (35-22)
23. Emporia State (48-17)
24. Saginaw Valley (34-17)
T25. Alabama-Huntsville (52-9)
T25. Angelo State (48-12)
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