WINGATE, N.C. – Carson-Newman baseball (26-9) has its highest ranking since moving to Division II.
The Eagles jumped nine spots in the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association poll to No. 7, while falling back four spots to No. 13 in the American Baseball Coaches Association poll.
Carson-Newman’s climb in the NCBWA poll gives the program its highest ranking since moving to Division II in 1994. The highest ranking prior to this week was finishing the 1999 season ranked eighth. It’s also C-N’s highest ranking ever in the history of the NCBWA poll.
The Eagles are the highest ranked Southeast region school by the NCBWA. Future South Atlantic Conference opponents Lenoir-Rhyne and Catawba are the only two other conference schools in the rankings. The Bears fall seven spots to No. 16, while the Indians slide 17 spots to No. 23.
North Greenville and Young Harris are the only other Southeast region schools ranked. The Trailblazers are 11th and the Mountain Lions are 19th.
The ABCA poll is much different from the NCBWA poll. LR is the highest ranked Southeast region school at seven, with Young Harris and Catawba right behind them at eight and nine. The Eagles slot in at number 13, just ahead of North Greenville who is 15th.
North Georgia makes an appearance in the top 25, moving up to 23rd.
The Eagles are back in action this weekend at Coker. First pitch for the three-game series is scheduled for 6:00 p.m. on Friday. The entire series will air with a free audio stream available courtesy of the Eagle Sports Network on cneagles.com/live.