Bronchos No. 3 In NFCA Preseason Poll

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Central Oklahoma will open the 2024 softball season as the No. 3 team in the country, according to the preseason NCAA Division II poll released by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Tuesday.

The Bronchos of 11th-year head coach Cody White garnered 359 points in balloting of 16 head coaches from around the country to finish behind last year's national finalists. Champion North Georgia picked up all 16 first-place votes and is the unanimous No. 1 choice with 400 points, 16 ahead of Grand Valley State.

West Texas A&M, Nova Southeastern, East Stroudsburg, Cal State San Marcos, Texas-Tyler, Wilmington and Tampa rounded out the top 10.

"It's always good to see our program recognized on a national level," said White, who led UCO to a school-record 54 wins and Division II World Series berth last season. "Our team realizes we have a chance to be pretty good this year, but rankings aren't going to win any games for you. We have a lot of work ahead to reach our full potential and our emphasis is to take the field each day looking to get better."

The Bronchos have five position starters, both starting pitchers and five other letterwinners back from last year's 54-9 squad. UCO captured the MIAA and Central Region titles in advancing to the World Series, going 2-2 there with narrow losses to North Georgia and Grand Valley State.

Central opens the 2024 campaign Feb. 2-4 with five games at the Mardi Gras Invitational in Lafayette, La.

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