Kentucky softball tied at No. 16 in week seven of USA Softball Top 25

Samuel Colmar

Kentucky Wildcats pitcher Stephanie Schoonover (23) pitches the ball during the No. 16 Kentucky vs. Dayton softball home opener game on Wednesday, March 8, 2023, at John Cropp Stadium in Lexington, Kentucky. Kentucky won 5-4. Photo by Samuel Colmar | Staff

Colton Johnson, Reporter
March 29, 2023

Kentucky softball (20-7-1) saw its ranking drop five spots to No. 16 in the USA Softball Top 25, with the Wildcats being tied with Virginia Tech in the poll.

The drop in ranking comes after the Wildcats fell in their second SEC series 2-1 against No. 21 Texas A&M (19-11), which climbed three spots after being ranked No. 24 in week six.

A total of nine SEC teams recorded a top 25 ranking, with Tennessee (26-2) leading the way at No. 3 after winning its third SEC series 2-1 against No. 13 Alabama (24-10).

The Crimson Tide shared its No. 13 ranking with both the Florida Gators (24-7) and the Duke Blue Devils (26-7).

Florida fell three spots after being ranked No. 10 in week six after losing its second SEC series 2-1 to No. 11 Arkansas (24-9), which jumped six spots from its previous ranking at No. 17.

After only losing one game in conference play, Georgia (27-6) also jumped six spots to No. 10 while boasting a nine-game win streak.

LSU (26-6) stayed put at No. 12 after winning three of its last four games, including a 2-1 victory in its series against Ole Miss (19-14).

After sweeping Missouri (20-14), Auburn (24-9) jumped three spots to No. 22 after taking the last ranked spot at No. 25 in week six.

The Wildcats will look to bounce back as they take on their in-state rivals in the Louisville Cardinals (22-9) on March 29 at John Cropp Stadium at 6:30 p.m. EST.

A full list of rankings can be found below: 

  1. Oklahoma Sooners (30-1) 
  2. Oklahoma State Cowboys (29-2) 
  3. Tennessee Volunteers (26-2)
  4. UCLA Bruins (29-4)
  5. Clemson Tigers (32-1)
  6. Stanford Cardinal (27-3)
  7. Florida State Seminoles (26-7) 
  8. Texas Longhorns (30-5-1)
  9. Washington Huskies (25-6)
  10. Georgia Bulldogs (27-6)
  11. Arkansas Razorbacks (24-9)
  12. LSU Tigers (26-6)

T13. Florida Gators (24-7) 

T13. Alabama Crimson Tide (24-10)

T13. Duke Blue Devils (26-7)

T16. Kentucky Wildcats (20-7-1)

T16. Virginia Tech Hokies (25-6)

  1. Oregon Ducks (20-10)
  2. Utah Utes (21-5)
  3. Northwestern Wildcats (17-8)
  4. Texas A&M Aggies (19-11)
  5. Baylor Bears (23-8)
  6. Auburn Tigers (24-9)
  7. Arizona Wildcats (20-12)
  8. Louisiana Ragin’ Cajuns (23-10)

Others receiving votes: Wichita State (28), California (10), Indiana (6), Missouri (6), Arizona State (4), Louisville (2), Michigan (1).