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Oklahoma Sooners No. 1 in USA TODAY NFCA Coaches Poll, but UCLA still garners a first place vote

John Williams
·6 min read
6

The Oklahoma Sooners bounced back from their first loss of the season to the Baylor Bears in ferocious fashion, going 5-0 at the Mary Nutter Classic. Their weekend in California included four run-rule wins and a 14-0 shellacking of the UCLA Bruins, who took over the top spot ever so briefly.

After outscoring their Mary Nutter opposition 50-4, the Oklahoma Sooners returned to their rightful place on top of the USA TODAY Sports NFCA Coaches Poll. This is a day after regaining the top spot in the D1 Softball top 25 yesterday.

UCLA, who has had a tremendous season in its own right, was the only other team to receive a first-place vote.

But how?

Sure, they’d played great until they ran into the buzzsaw that was the Sooners, but they had no answers for Oklahoma’s lineup in the circle or at the plate against Alex Storako.

Had it been a close win for Oklahoma, it would feel justified, but the Sooners erased any doubts as to who were still the queens of college softball.

The Sooners were joined by three other teams in the top 25. Baylor, who holds the only win over Oklahoma this season, moved up four spots to No. 21 after another phenomenal week. Texas held steady at No. 9 and Oklahoma State moved up a spot to No. 3 in the nation.

Here’s a look at the USA TODAY Sports NFCA Coaches Poll.

Wichita State Shockers

Last Week: Received Votes

Record: 12-3

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.

Missouri Tigers

Last Week: 24

Record: 12-4

Arizona State Sun Devils

Last Week: Received Votes

Record: 11-2

Northwestern Wildcats

Last Week: 19

Record: 6-6

Baylor Bears

Last Week: 25

Record: 12-1

Oregon Ducks

Last Week: 22

Record: 12-3

Auburn Tigers

Last Week: 20

Record: 15-1

Georgia Bulldogs

Last Week: 17

Record: 12-4

Kentucky Wildcats

Last Week: 18

Record: 10-3-1

Arizona Wildcats

Last Week: 13

Record: 10-5

LSU Tigers

Last Week: 15

Record: 15-1

Stanford Cardinal

Last Week: 16

Record: 14-2

Alabama Crimson Tide

Last Week: 11

Record: 11-3

Duke Blue Devils

Last Week: 14

Record: 13-3

Washington Huskies

Last Week: 8

Record: 13-3

Virginia Tech Hokies

Last Week: 10

Record: 11-4

Texas Longhorns

Last Week: 9

Record: 11-2-1

Florida Gators

Last Week: 3

Record: 11-3

Tennessee Volunteers

Last Week: 12

Record: 11-1

Arkansas Razorbacks

Last Week: 7

Record: 13-3

Florida State Seminoles

Last Week: 6

Record: 15-3

Clemson Tigers

Last Week: 5

Record: 15-1

Oklahoma State Cowboys

Last Week: 4

Record: 13-1

UCLA Bruins

First Place Votes: 1

Last Week: 1

Record: 17-1

Oklahoma Sooners

First Place Votes: 31

Last Week: 2

Record: 13-1

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Story originally appeared on Sooners Wire