Softball | April 26, 2017

SEASIDE, Calif. — With two weeks to go until the NCAA determines the 64 teams that will compete for the NCAA Division II Softball national championship, Cal State Monterey Bay holds steady in the No. 1 spot in the second of three in–season West Region rankings, the NCAA released Wednesday. Although the Otters remained at No. 1, there were big changes throughout the rest of the Top 10.

CSUMB (41–8) took 3-of-4 from No. 5 Chico State to solidify its hold on the No. 1 spot. Dixie State (31–9 vs. West) took 3-of-4 from Cal Baptist to vault from No. 6 all the way to No. 2. 

The other big movers were Sonoma State (35–14)—which jumped from No. 7 to No. 4 after taking 3-of-4 from Humboldt State—and the Lumberjacks (33–11)who tumbled from No. 3 to No. 8

The Otters have compiled the best record in the region while playing in what has been, by far, the West's strongest conference in 2017. CCAA teams are an aggregate 44–24 (.647) against the Pac West Conference and 30–17 (.638) versus the GNAC.

The Otters lead six CCAA teams among the Top 10 regional contenders. In addition to previously mentioned Sonoma, Chico and Humboldt, Cal State San Bernardino (34–16) is No. 6 while UC San Diego (26–22) is on the bubble at No. 10.

The Otters are currently 14–4 against other teams in this week's regional rankings. They close the regular season with four games at No. 8 Humboldt State, Apr. 28–29 before heading to the CCAA Tournament as the No. 1 seed May 5–7 in Stockton.

The top eight teams in the final West Region poll (to be announced live on NCAA.com on May 7) will advance to the NCAA West Regionals May 12–14 at sites to be determined. The top two teams will have the inside track to host the two subregionals. The winners of the subregionals will play a best 2–of–3 West Super Regional for the right to advance to the NCAA Division II College World Series May 25–29.