NEWARK, Del. - - A run to the 2022 East Super Region has the Wilmington University softball team nationally ranked to begin the 2023 season in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll.
The Wildcats, coached by Mike Shehorn entering his 10th season at the helm, are ranked 24th to start the 2013 season with 27 points. The Wildcats ended the 2022 season ranked No. 24 as well after falling to Adelphi, 2-1, in the best-of-three East Super Region series.
Wilmington went 38-20 overall last year and won their first East Region Sub-Region by defeating Franklin Pierce and Georgian Court (twice) on the Lions' home field to advance to the Super Regional. The Wildcats defeated Adelphi, 1-0, in the first game of the series before falling, 6-0 and 7-2.
The 2023 season begins with the NFCA Division II Leadoff Classic at the South Commons Complex in Columbus, Georgia in late February. The Wildcats will play #20 Lincoln Memorial, who played in the Southeast Super Regional last season, and #23 Alabama Huntsville on Friday, February 24. They will also play host Columbus State and Wingate, who received votes in the poll, on Saturday, February 25.
2023 NFCA Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll
January 24 (Preseason)
Rank School Points 2022 Final Record 2022 Final Ranking
1 Rogers State (16) 400 58-10 1
2 Cal State Dominguez Hills 379 45-24 2
3 UT Tyler 370 49-9 3
4 Auburn Montgomery 349 49-13 4
5 North Georgia 342 49-18 5
6 Texas A&M-Kingsville 298 50-12 8
7 Seton Hill 282 42-12 7
8 Central Oklahoma 278 48-13 9
9 Adelphi 262 47-15 10
10 Grand Valley State 252 43-8 14
11 Cal State San Marcos 245 45-14 11
12 Valdosta State 243 38-14 12
13 Augustana 212 50-10 13
14 Anderson 165 40-10 17
15 Kutztown 153 40-15 15
16 Indianapolis 150 48-10 19
17 Tampa 145 38-13 16
18 Angelo State 129 39-12 21
19 Concordia Irvine 118 46-10 20
20 Lincoln Memorial 105 39-20 23
21 Lubbock Christian 89 39-12 18
22 Washburn 54 45-15 RV
23 UAH 48 41-17 25
24 Wilmington 27 38-20 24
25 Sonoma State 26 42-18 RV
Receiving Votes: Southern Arkansas (22), Oklahoma Christian (17), West Virginia Wesleyan (10), Minnesota State (8), Wingate (7), Nova Southeastern (5), Rollins (4), Lenoir-Rhyne (3), Chico State (2), Drury (1).