Jan. 29, 2004

STARKVILLE, MISS. –
Despite not landing a spot on the USA Softball/ESPN.com poll, the South Carolina Gamecock softball team did crack the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Top 25 Poll. For the 14th consecutive poll, USC was ranked 22nd in the preseason poll. This marks the 113th poll for the coaches and the Gamecocks have been ranked in 97 of them. The USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25 poll is voted on by 27 NCAA Division I head coaches representing different conferences.

Carolina returns all three pitchers and five starters from last year’s team while four newcomers will don the Garnet and Black this season. USC shares the poll with three other SEC schools including No. 6 Alabama, No. 7 Georgia and No. 14 LSU.

2003 Champion UCLA is the top ranked team followed by Arizona and California. Oklahoma is ranked fourth and is currently the highest team that USC will face so far this year. The Gamecocks and Sooners will match up as early as Feb. 13 at the Sunshine Tournament in Tallahassee, Fla. USC will also face No. 19 Florida State in Tallahassee on Feb. 14. On Feb. 27-28, USC will meet No. 20 Arizona State and No. 23 Fresno State at the Lead-Off Classic, giving the Gamecocks a total of seven ranked teams they will play against this year.

The Gamecocks ended the 2003 season ranked 21st in the final coaches poll after a 40-21 record and a trip to the NCAA Tournament. The Garnet and Black open the season next week, Feb. 7 at Charlotte and Feb. 8 at North Carolina. USC’s first home game will be Feb. 21 when the Gamecocks host Middle Tennessee State in the Gamecock Invitational.

Gamecock fans can catch a glimpse of the 2004 softball team this Saturday, Jan. 31 when they participate in the First annual Baseball Bash at Sarge Frye Field. The team will have a pitching challenge against local media personalities and USC students, in addition to an autograph signing following the event. The entire event is scheduled to begin around 3:45 p.m.

USA Today/NFCA Coaches Top 25 Poll-Preseason
Rank Team Record Points
1. UCLA (26) 54-7 674
2. Arizona 56-7 632
3. California (1) 49-20 629
4. Oklahoma 47-14 535
5. Washington 47-16-1 515
6. Alabama 49-21 514
7. Georgia 57-14 455
8. Nebraska 39-17 439
9. Louisiana-Lafayette 47-11 425
10. Michigan 44-16 419
10. (tie) Texas 49-9 419
12. DePaul 48-7-1 375
13. Cal State Fullerton 41-15 329
14. LSU 50-18 311
15. Stanford 41-26 262
16. Oregon 37-19 258
17. Iowa 44-15 242
18. Texas A&M 38-22 208
19. Florida State 46-11 198
20. Arizona State 32-25 195
21. Oklahoma State 39-15 184
22. South Carolina 41-20 90
23. Fresno State 36-22 80
24. Southern Illinois 39-14 77
25. Michigan State 40-19 72