Yellowjackets Jump to No. 3 in West Region (Apr. 20, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – Montana State-Billings leaped over two teams in Wednesday’s NCAA West Region softball poll, climbing from No. 5 to No. 3.  The Yellowjackets, 28-12 overall, have just six regular season games remaining.  The top six teams in the final poll on May 9 will be invited to the NCAA Tournament.

MSU Billings jumped over Hawaii-Hilo and San Francisco State to claim the third spot in this week’s poll.  It is the highest the Yellowjackets have ever been ranked in the region.  They next play on April 25 when they host Minot State in a doubleheader beginning at 11:30 a.m. at Cenex Stadium.  MSUB closes the season at home against Western New Mexico with PacWest doubleheaders on April 30 and May 1.  The Mustangs are ranked tenth in this week’s poll.  PacWest leader Hawaii-Hilo is ranked fifth after dropping three of four games to the Yellowjackets.

Humboldt State has a solid hold on the poll’s top spot despite having its 35 game winning streak snapped on Sunday.  The Lumberjacks are 47-2 overall, followed by No. 2 Cal State-Dominguez Hills (37-7).

NCAA West Region Softball (through games of 4/17/05)
 1. Humboldt State (47-2, previous rank: 1)
 2. Cal State-Dominguez Hills (37-7, previous rank: 2)
 3. Montana State-Billings (28-12, previous rank: 5)
 4. San Francisco State (30-15, previous rank: 3)
 5. Hawaii-Hilo (28-8, previous rank: 4)
 6. Cal State-Chico (22-11, previous rank: 6)
 7. Seattle University (18-13, previous rank: 9)
 8. Cal State-Bakersfield (28-18, previous rank: 8)
 9. Central Washington (22-15, previous rank: 10)
 10. Western New Mexico (23-21, previous rank: n/a)