March 17, 2004

Waco, Texas - Winners of 19 of their last 20 games, the Baylor Lady Bears softball team made its first appearance in the top 25 this season when the team was ranked No. 22 in the latest USA Today/NFCA Top 25 poll released today.

Baylor received 69 votes in the latest poll, entering the poll ahead of No. 23 Arizona State and just behind No. 21 South Florida.

The ranking is the highest for Baylor since the 2002 season, when the Lady Bears were ranked 22nd in the country the week of April 7, 2002.

Arizona remains the top-ranked team in the country, receiving 19 of the 20 first place votes. UCLA, who defeated Baylor earlier in the season, remains number two.

California, Florida State and LSU round out the top five.

Four Big 12 Conference schools are currently ranked in the top 25, with Oklahoma (No. 7), Nebraska (No. 17) and Texas (No. 24) joining the Lady Bears in the poll.

The USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division I Top 25 is voted on by 20 NCAA Division I head coaches representing different conferences.