Bronchos No. 8 In National Preseason Poll

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (Jan. 24) – Central Oklahoma will start the 2023 softball season ranked No. 8 in the country, according to the NCAA Division II poll released Tuesday by the National Softball Coaches Association.

The Bronchos earned 278 points in balloting of 16 head coaches from around the country – two from each of the eight regions – and are one of three Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association teams in the top 25.

Defending national champion Rogers State earned all 16 first-place votes and is the unanimous No. 1 pick with 400 points, while Washburn is 22nd. The Hillcats beat UCO in last year's Central Super Regional before going on to win the national title.

Rounding out the top five is Cal State Dominguez Hills, Texas-Tyler, Auburn-Montgomery and North Georgia. Click here for the complete poll.

The Bronchos have six position starters back from last year's 48-13 team that tied for the second-most wins in school history.

UCO opens the 2023 campaign Feb. 3-5 with six games at the Division II Spring Invitational Kickoff in Conroe, Texas. The Bronchos play No. 18 Angelo State in the first game of that three-day event and finish it against No. 3 UT Tyler.

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