Softball Stays at No. 5 in Latest NFCA Poll

Senior Stephanie Jimenez is as cool as the other side of the pillow for the No. 5 Toros, leading the CCAA in ERA and wins, and sitting 2nd in strikeouts

STARKVILLE, Miss. -- After taking the regular season series 3 games to 1 for the second-consecutive week, this time over visiting Cal State San Bernardino last weekend, the Cal State Dominguez Hills Toros held steady at No. 5 on this week's National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll for the third-straight week.

At No. 5, the Toros remain as the top-highest seed in the NCAA West, and are joined by CCAA school Sonoma State, which dropped seven spots to No. 25.

The Toros are led by arguably the best 1-2 combination in the circle in senior aces Stephanie Jimenez (pictured) and Lauren Harper, who have garnered all 14 wins for CSUDH this year.

Currently at 8-1, Jimenez has risen to an even higher level coming off a stellar junior season, leading the CCAA in ERA and wins, and sitting 2nd in strikeouts.

Harper, meanwhile, sits 3rd in strikeouts and wins and 9th in ERA to go along with her 6-3 record.

Offensively, CSUDH boasts a trio of batters hitting over .450, led by newcomer Adriana Sanchez.

The transfer leads the league in batting average, home runs, slugging percentage and runs, is 2nd in hits, sits tied for 3rd in RBI and is 5th in on-base percentage.

Brittany Brenner, meanwhile, leads the CCAA in OB%, is 2nd in BA, 3rd in runs, 5th in hits and SLG% and 8th in home runs with Christina Chavez sitting 2nd in SLG% and OB%, 3rd in BA, 5th in hits, 6th in RBI and runs and 8th in home runs.

The last time CSUDH reached a No. 5 ranking before the past two weeks was March 7, 2012, with the all-time highest rank coming at No. 2 on March 8, 2006.

Valdosta State held the top spot for the third-straight week, with SE Oklahoma State and West Texas A&M holding firm at Nos. 2 and 3, respectively.

The only change in the NFCA's top 5 over saw Indianapolis move up to No. 4 from No. 6, with North Georgia moving down four spots to No. 8.

In the NCAA west, Grand Canyon sits at No. 13, with Notre Dame de Namur at No. 18 and Dixie State at No. 23.

CSUDH, currently at 14-4 and 6-2 CCAA, sits atop the league standings and plays at San Francisco State this weekend, with live stats available to follow all four games.

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