NFCA TOP 25 POLL
STARKVILLE, Miss. – Augustana begins the 2012 season No. 8 in the preseason National Fastpitch Coaches Association rankings released Wednesday.
The Vikings earned 262 points to move up five places from the final ranking last season.
California-San Diego is the top team in the poll with 400 points after earning the national title in 2011.
Fellow Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference-school Minnesota State checked in at No. 13 in the rankings.
The Vikings finished the 2011 season 50-11, marking the most wins in a season since 2000. Augustana also won the Central 1 Regional to advance to the Super Regional for the first time since 2000.
Augustana opens the 2012 season with five games in two days – Feb. 10 and 11 – at the Desert Stinger in Las Vegas, Nev.
