TUCSON, Ariz. --- The Tusculum College baseball team is ranked No. 24 in the nation according to this week's Collegiate Baseball Magazine Division II Coaches' Poll. Despite being idle this past week, the Pioneers (36-16) dropped five spots in this week's rankings.

Southern Arkansas is the new No. 1 team in the country, boasting a 44-9 record and earning 480 total points. USC Aiken is second with 458 points, followed by Ashland, UC San Diego, West Alabama, Cameron, West Chester, Emporia State, Francis Marion and Delta State to round out the top 10.

Central Missouri State is 11th, followed by Sonoma State, Tampa, Abilene Christian, Florida Southern, Grand Valley State, Georgia College & State, Western Oregon, Wayne State (Neb.), Angelo State, Catawba, Armstrong Atlantic State, Mesa State, Tusculum, Cal State Los Angeles, Dominican, St. Mary's (Texas), Mercyhurst, UNC Pembroke, Slippery Rock and Indianapolis.

Tusculum captured its fourth South Atlantic Conference Championship in the last five years this season and has already clinched its fifth straight campaign with at least 35 victories and seventh in a row with 30 or more wins. The Pioneers will learn their NCAA postseason fate this Sunday with the release of the Division II Tournament field.

- TC -

Collegiate Baseball Magazine Division II Coaches' Poll
Rk. Team Rec. Pts. Prv.
1. Southern Arkansas 44-9 480 T2
2. USC Aiken 39-16 458 4
3. Ashland 41-11-1 450 T2
4. UC San Diego 33-12 436 5
5. West Alabama 36-12 406 7
6. Cameron 42-14 402 6
7. West Chester 39-10 384 9
8. Emporia State 42-10 382 8
9. Francis Marion 33-13-1 340 14
Delta State 36-14 340 15
11. Central Missouri 39-11 324 T19
12. Sonoma State 30-12 278 10
13. Tampa 38-15 274 18
14. Abilene Christian 41-17 268 T25
15. Florida Southern 36-13 258 11
16. Grand Valley State 38-13-1 246 NR
17. Georgia College & State 37-16 214 13
18. Western Oregon 30-11 200 21
Wayne State (Neb.) 39-11 200 24
20. Angelo State 41-17 174 16
21. Catawba 35-16 160 T22
22. Armstrong Atlantic State 38-17 136 RV
Mesa State 38-12 136 12
24. TUSCULUM 36-16 88 T19
Cal State Los Angeles 31-15 88 T25
26. Dominican 35-10 60 NR
27. St. Mary's (Texas) 35-15 48 RV
28. Mercyhurst 33-14 44 27
29. UNC Pembroke 36-16 26 28
Slippery Rock 36-14 26 30
Indianapolis 37-17 26 RV

Others Receiving Votes: Franklin Pierce 16, Alabama-Huntsville 12, Cal State Dominguez Hills 10, Valdosta State 8, Belmont Abbey 4, Incarnate Word 4, Cal State Chico 2, Rockhurst 2, Erskine 1, Barton 1, Adelphi 1, UT Permian Basin 1, Missouri Southern State 1, Nebraska-Omaha 1, Kutztown 1, California (Pa.) 1, West Virginia State 1, New Mexico Highlands 1, Minnesota State Mankato 1, Lynn 1.

Tusculum Opponents in Italics