March 3, 2004

COLUMBIA, S.C. –
After an impressive outing at the NFCA Lead-Off Classic in Columbus, Ga. last weekend, the South Carolina softball team moved up in the latest NFCA/USA Today and ESPN.com/USA Softball polls. The Gamecocks (11-2) moved up six spots from No. 20 to No. 14 in the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll, and five spots from No. 20 to No. 15 in the NFCA/USA Today coaches poll.

USC went 3-2 at the prestigious tournament and advanced to the Gold Championship bracket before losing in the semifinals to now sixth-ranked Florida State. The Gamecocks have been ranked in every NFCA poll this season while the Garnet and Black were left out of the ESPN.com/USA Softball poll in the preseason. However after the first week of play, the Gamecocks have held a spot in both polls since and continue to move up each week.

South Carolina is one of six SEC teams ranked in the two polls. The only other conference to have more teams among the Top 25, is the Pac-10 with eight. In both polls, UCLA continues to sit atop, followed by Arizona. In the coaches poll, LSU is the SEC’s highest ranked team, which jumped from No. 12 to No. 3, after winning the NFCA Lead-Off Classic. Georgia lands at No. 8 followed by No. 9 Alabama and No. 13 Tennessee. The Gamecocks are tied at No. 15 with Fresno State. Florida jumped into the polls for the first time this season as they debut at No. 23.

In the ESPN.com/USA softball poll, LSU ranks No. 3 followed by No. 7 Georgia, No. 8 Alabama and No 13 Tennessee. USC is also tied in this poll as they are 14th with Pacific. Florida is No. 21, up two from No. 23 last week.

USA TODAY/NFCA TOP 25
Poll (3/2)

1. UCLA (24), 16-0
2. Arizona, 21-0
3. LSU 18-3
4. California, 17-2
5. Oklahoma, 15-4-1
6. Florida State, 17-2
7. Washington, 13-5
8. Georgia, 12-4
9. Alabama, 15-3
10. Stanford, 13-5
11. Michigan, 12-5
12. La.-Lafayette, 20-2
13. Tennessee, 18-4
14. Oregon, 13-4
15.-t South Carolina, 11-2
15.-t Fresno State, 8-4
17. Nebraska, 8-7
18. Pacific, 14-2
19. Texas, 11-9
20. Arizona State, 18-9
21. Iowa, 6-4
22. South Florida, 16-5
23. Florida, 17-2
24. Georgia Tech, 15-3
25. Oregon State, 15-6

ESPN.com/USA Softball Top 25
Poll (3/2)

1. UCLA (18), 16-0
2. Arizona (2), 21-0
3. California, 16-2
4. Florida State, 17-2
5. LSU, 1-3
6. Oklahoma, 16-4-1
7. Georgia, 12-4
8. Alabama, 15-3
9. Washington, 13-5
10. Stanford, 13-5
11. La.-Lafayette, 20-2
12. Michigan, 12-5
13. Tennessee, 18-4
14.-t Pacific, 14-2
14.-t South Carolina, 11-2
16. Oregon, 13-4
17. Fresno State, 8-4
18. Nebraska, 8-7
19. Oregon State, 15-6
20. Texas, 11-9
21. Florida, 17-2
22. Iowa, 6-3
23. Notre Dame, 10-4
24. Arizona State, 18-9
25. Georgia Tech, 15-3