Softball Ranked No. 23 in NFCA Preseason Poll
LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The University of South Carolina softball team was ranked No. 23 in the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association preseason Top-25 poll announced this morning (Jan. 30).
The Gamecocks were one of nine teams in the SEC in the top-25. Oklahoma earned the number one spot unanimously. South Carolina’s schedule features seven programs that are ranked in the NFCA poll, while 11 opponents are receiving votes.
This is Carolina’s fourth preseason ranking heading into the 2024 season. The Gamecocks are ranked No. 17 by Softball America, No. 22 by D1softball, and No. 22 by ESPN/USA Softball,
Carolina is coming off a 40-22 season where the Gamecocks advanced to the finals of the Tallahassee Regional, falling to eventual national runner-up Florida State. South Carolina advanced to the SEC Championship game, becoming the lowest seed ever to reach the finals. The Gamecocks welcome nine new players, five transfers and four freshmen, to a squad of 14 returning players.
Carolinas open the 2024 season on Friday, Feb. 9 against Jacksonville State at 4 p.m. as part of the Carolina Classic.
2024 USA Today / NFCA Division I
Top 25 Coaches Poll – 1/30/24 (Preseason)
| Rank | School
(First Place Votes) |
Points | Record | 2023 Final Ranking |
| 1 | Oklahoma (32) | 800 | 0-0 | 1 |
| 2 | Tennessee | 731 | 0-0 | 3 |
| 3 | Florida State | 729 | 0-0 | 2 |
| 3 | Stanford | 729 | 0-0 | 4 |
| 5 | Clemson | 579 | 0-0 | 9 |
| 6 | Georgia | 562 | 0-0 | 14 |
| 7 | Washington | 550 | 0-0 | 5 |
| 8 | Texas | 536 | 0-0 | 11 |
| 9 | Oklahoma State | 522 | 0-0 | 6 |
| 10 | UCLA | 515 | 0-0 | 13 |
| 11 | Duke | 470 | 0-0 | 10 |
| 12 | Alabama | 423 | 0-0 | 7 |
| 13 | Utah | 383 | 0-0 | 8 |
| 14 | LSU | 368 | 0-0 | 16 |
| 15 | Oregon | 360 | 0-0 | 15 |
| 16 | Arkansas | 334 | 0-0 | 16 |
| 17 | Florida | 252 | 0-0 | 21 |
| 18 | Nebraska | 245 | 0-0 | RV |
| 19 | Auburn | 207 | 0-0 | 20 |
| 20 | Northwestern | 203 | 0-0 | 12 |
| 21 | Louisiana | 189 | 0-0 | 18 |
| 22 | Baylor | 173 | 0-0 | 22 |
| 23 | South Carolina | 129 | 0-0 | 25 |
| 24 | San Diego State | 97 | 0-0 | 19 |
| 25 | Kentucky | 79 | 0-0 | 24 |
Receiving Votes: Virginia Tech (78), Texas A&M (60), Wichita State (49), Liberty (24), California (6), Arizona (5), Boston University (5), McNeese State (5), Miami University (2), Charlotte (1).
For the latest on South Carolina Softball, visit GamecocksOnline.com or follow the team’s social media accounts on Twitter @GamecockSoftbll, Facebook /GamecockSoftball, and Instagram @GamecockSoftball.
