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Softball

Toros Jump Up to No. 16 in Latest NFCA Poll


STARKVILLE, Miss. -- Fueled by a 5-1 record last week that included two wins over then No. 22 Hawai'i Pacific, the Cal State Dominguez Hills softball team moved up four spots to No. 20 in this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll.

This entry comes before what could be a historic weekend as San Francisco State visits Toro Diamond for a four-game set, with Friday's twinbill set for a 12 noon start, followed by Saturday's 11 am double-header, all of which can be heard live on the Toro Sports Network at www.GoToros.com/live.

Sitting atop the California Collegiate Athletic Association (CCAA) at 11-1, the 18-3 Toros had their program-best 17 game winning streak snapped at CS Stanislaus last Saturday in the opener, before beginning another win streak by taking the nightcap.

CSUDH is led by its junior aces in the circle in Stephanie Jimenez and Lauren Harper, who combine to lead the league in six pitching categories and sit 1-2 in four of the six.

Jimenez posts a 1.60 ERA and 9-1 record in 14 appearances, also notching a pair of saves. She has logged 65.2 innings pitched and leads the league in wins and saves, and sits second in opposing batting average and batters struck out looking.

Harper, meanwhile, coming off her second career CCAA Pitcher of the Week honor, is 8-2 with a 1.81 ERA and leads the league in opposing BA, innings pitched, strikeouts and KLs, and is second in wins.

Offensively, the Toros are led by junior Jessica Hall (pictured), who leads the CCAA in hits (33) and runs 21), sits 2nd in doubles (7) and 4th in batting average (.465). Sophomore Veronica Vazquez also has been hot at the plate as well with her .411 average, 23 hits and 19 runs scored.

Defense has been another key in CSUDH's hot start as the Toros have committed just 13 errors compared to 39 for their opponents.

Aside from being a key league match-up, this weekend's series against San Francisco State holds special significance for head coach Jim Maier.  Now in his 12th season, Maier sits just four wins away from reaching victory No. 400, an opportunity that could occur on Saturday if the Toros are able to sweep Friday's twinbill and win Saturday's opener.

Chico State is the highest ranked of four CCAA teams included in the poll at No. 3. Cal State Monterey Bay moved up three to No. 10 while defending NCAA Champion UC San Diego dropped 10 spots to No. 20. Sonoma State, meanwhile, was five votes shy of cracking the Top 25.

The NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll is voted on by 16 NCAA Division II head coaches, two representing each of the eight NCAA regions.

The National Fastpitch Coaches Association is the professional growth organization for fastpitch softball coaches from all competitive levels of play. In 1997, the Association's membership reached the 2,000 mark, and today there are more than 4,300 members.
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