FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 2-15-01

AASU Softball Ranked No. 4 In Preseason NFCA Division II Top 25

SAVANNAH, Ga. – The Armstrong Atlantic State women's softball team, coming off of a school-record 51-7 season and its first NCAA Regional appearance, is ranked No. 4 in the preseason NFCA Division II Top 25 poll, released by the organization on Wednesday.

The Lady Pirates, who earned a No. 1 ranking in the poll during last season, are behind defending national champion North Dakota State, the unanimous preseason pick for No. 1; fellow PBC foe Kennesaw State at No. 2 and Bloomsburg (Pa.) at No. 3. California-Davis rounds out the top five at No. 5.

One other Peach Belt Conference school cracked the top 25 – Columbus State is ranked No. 19, wihle North Florida is among a group of eight schools receiving votes.

AASU returns eight starters from last season, including second-team All-America and Peach Belt Conference Player of the Year Annie Sells, and opens up the 2001 season on Saturday, February 24 at 2:00 p.m. against Mount Olive at Pirate Field.

NFCA/Division II Top 25 Poll - 2/14/01

-Pirates-