March 14, 2007

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
After posting an impressive 23-3 record and a 3-0 start in Southeastern Conference action, the South Carolina Gamecock softball team returns to the rankings with a 2007 debut at No. 24 in the USA Softball/ESPN.com Top 25 poll. This marks the first time in 40 weeks, since the week of May 11, 2004, the Gamecocks have been ranked in the poll.

The Gamecocks have received votes for the USA Softball/ESPN.com poll for the past two weeks and were able to secure enough this week to break into the list. South Carolina is still receiving votes in the USA Today/NFCA Coaches poll and is not yet ranked in this poll.

South Carolina will put its record on the line when they host Virginia Tech (21-7) Wednesday afternoon in a 4 p.m. doubleheader at Beckham Field. The Hokies are receiving votes in both polls as well.

ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25 Poll (3/13)
Rank Team Record LW
1. Tennessee (12) 24-1 490 1
2. Alabama (8) 24-0 480 3
3. Texas A&M 21-2 453 4
4. Arizona State 27-2 428 6
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5. Arizona 17-5 414 2
6. Oklahoma 28-1 404 5
7. Michigan 20-1 390 7
8. Texas 20-3 363 8
9. Northwestern 15-5 308 T10
10. Baylor 24-5 307 14
11. Stanford 21-5 287 12
12. LSU 24-4 285 9
13. Washington 18-4 281 T10
14. Oregon 24-3 230 15
15. UCLA 21-6 220 16
16. Louisiana-Lafayette 24-6 181 13
17. Illinois State 19-5 180 18
18. Georgia Tech 25-5 115 19
19. Georgia 22-8 104 23
20. Oregon State 15-9 101 17
21. DePaul 12-5 96 21
22. Florida 19-10 81 24
23. Southern Illinois 18-5 75 20
24. South Carolina 23-3 50 RV
25. Hawaii 22-5 49 RV