North Greenville (29-2) tops NCBWA Division II Poll

PEMBROKE, N.C. (NCBWA) – Defending national champion North Greenville was a unanimous No. 1 pick for the fifth-straight week as the Crusaders raked in all 20 available first-place votes on Wednesday afternoon to continue their reign atop the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) Division II Top 25 Poll.

The top three teams in the ranking remained the same for the fifth-straight poll as Tampa and Angelo State occupy the Nos. 2 and 3 spots, respectively. Missouri Southern State hopped up three spots to No. 4, while Cal State San Bernardino rounded out the top 5.

North Greenville pushed its win streak out to 15 games with a weekend sweep of then-No. 13 UNC Pembroke at home on Friday and Saturday. Tampa has captured 11 of its last 12 outings, while Angelo State has won 18 of its last 19 contests.

Three teams re-entered Wednesday’s national ranking, including No. 23 Valdosta State who is back in the top 25 after a 2-week hiatus. Central Missouri (No. 24) and Cal State Monterey Bay (No. 25) are back in the national ranking for the first time since the preseason edition of the poll.

2023 NCBWA DIVISION II POLL (MARCH 29)
Rk.School [1st place]LocationRecordPts.Pvs.
1.North Greenville [20]Tigerville, S.C.29-25001
2.TampaTampa, Fla.23-44772
3.Angelo StateSan Angelo, Texas30-44603
4.Missouri Southern StateJoplin, Mo.23-74117
5.Cal State San BernardinoSan Bernardino, Calif.20-63874
6.MillersvilleMillersville, Pa.22-43746
7.QuincyQuincy, Ill.18-43738
8.NewberryNewberry, S.C.25-53559
9.St. Edward'sAustin, Texas22-630910
10.Southern ArkansasMagnolia, Ark.21-829711
11.RollinsWinter Park, Fla.20-727721
12.Franklin PierceRindge, N.H.16-426515
13.Columbus StateColumbus, Ga.24-625617
14.MontevalloMontevallo, Ala.24-52395
15.East StroudsburgEast Stroudsburg, Pa.21-420914
16.Colorado MesaGrand Junction, Colo.20-718518
17.Wayne StateDetroit, Mich.16-317716
18.Arkansas TechRussellville, Ark.22-915520
19.Azusa PacificAzusa, Calif.19-1114419
20.UNC PembrokePembroke, N.C.23-814313
21.Illinois-SpringfieldSpringfield, Ill.20-69623
22.New HavenNew Haven, Conn.15-47324
23.Valdosta StateValdosta, Ga.18-858RV
24.Central MissouriWarrensburg, Mo.21-849RV
25.Cal State Monterey BaySeaside, Calif.18-948RV
Also receiving votes: Lenoir-Rhyne (25-8) 43; West Chester (14-6) 40; Pace (15-2) 28; UT Tyler (20-11) 25; West Georgia (22-7) 15; Charleston (W. Va.) (19-5) 6; Hawaii Hilo (17-7) 5; Maryville (16-6) 5; Southern New Hampshire (15-8) 1.
Dropped out: West Georgia (12); Hawaii Hilo (22); West Texas A&M (25).

Founded in 1962, the NCBWA is dedicated to the advancement of college baseball. Membership is open to writers, broadcasters and publicists of the sport. Members receive a membership card, directory, newsletter updates and official votes in the Dick Howser Trophy, Regional Players of the Year and NCBWA All-America voting. The NCBWA also sponsors Division I Players of the Week, the Stopper of the Year, and publication and writing contests.