Jan. 27, 2010

CANYON, Texas – The West Texas A&M softball team will start the 2010 season slotted 22nd nationally, according to the National Coaches Fastpitch Association (NFCA) top 25 preason poll released Wednesday. This is the first season since the program’s 2004 re-instatement at WTAMU that the program is ranked in the preseason top 25.

Last season, the Lady Buffs ended with a winning record of 35-21 and travelled to the LSC Championship Tournament where they were eventually knocked out in game five of the tournament with a loss against Central Oklahoma, 3-1. The team cracked the top 25 during the 2009 season, claiming the 22nd slot during the week of March 25th.

The Lady Buffs are joined in the top 25 by fellow LSC-South division rivals Abilene Christan and Angelo State which are ranked 17th and 19th respectively.

The 2010 season will open on the road at the St. Mary’s Invitational in San Antonio, Texas. The Lady Buffs will face East Central on Feb. 4th with first pitch set for 10:30 a.m. CST.

NFCA Division II National Rankings – 1. Alabama-Huntsville; 2. North Georgia; 3. Winona State; 4. Dixie State; 5. Indianopolis; 6. Valdosta State; 7. LeMoyne; 8. Missouri Western State 9. California (Pa.); 10; Sagina Valley; 11. Humboldt State; 12. Nebraska-Omaha; 13. S. C. Aiken; 14. Kutztown; 15. Nova Southeastern; 16. Metro State; 17. Abilene Christian; 18. C.W. Post; 19. Angelo State; 20 Wayne State (Mich.); 21. Wayne State (Neb.); 22. West Texas A&M; 22. Mesa State; 24. Carson Newman; 25. Lock Haven..