Jackets Slip to Fourth in Softball Poll (Apr. 27, 2005)

BILLINGS, MT – A week after jumping two spots in the NCAA West Region softball poll, Montana State-Billings slipped one spot to No. 4 this week.  The Jackets were idle during the last seven day ranking period.  San Francisco State, ranked fourth last week, went 4-1 at the Cal State-Bakersfield tournament to jump ahead of the Yellowjackets.  Included in the Gators’ four wins was an upset of No. 2 Cal State-Dominguez Hills.

Other than the trade at No. 3 and No. 4, there were no significant changes in the poll.  Humboldt State still has a hold on the top spot and is almost assured of being the top seed at the regional tournament.  Dominguez Hills held on to the second spot with Hawaii-Hilo and Cal State-Chico rounding out the top six.  Six teams will be invited to the NCAA Tournament, which begins on March 12 with regional play.  Hawaii Pacific moved back into the poll at No. 9, dropping Central Washington to 10.  Western New Mexico fell out.

The Jackets wrap up the regular season on Saturday and Sunday at Cenex Stadium against Western New Mexico.  Saturday’s doubleheader starts at 3:00, and Sunday’s at 1:00.

NCAA West Region Softball (through games of 4/24/05)
 1. Humboldt State (53-3, previous rank: 1)
 2. Cal State-Dominguez Hills (42-9, previous rank: 2)
 3. San Francisco State (34-16, previous rank: 4)
 4. Montana State-Billings (28-12, previous rank: 3)
 5. Hawaii-Hilo (32-9, previous rank: 5)
 6. Cal State-Chico (26-13, previous rank: 6)
 7. Seattle University (20-13, previous rank: 7)
 8. Cal State-Bakersfield (31-21, previous rank: 8)
 9. Hawaii Pacific (26-15, previous rank: n/a)
 10. Central Washington (22-17, previous rank: 9)