Thursday, March 20, 1997

FORT COLLINS-- The Colorado State University softball team has cracked the USA Today/National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 for the first time this season, debuting at No. 19.

Arizona remains in the top spot with a perfect 25-0 record, followed by Western Athletic Conference rival Fresno State (19-2) and UCLA (22-4). The Rams are the second highest ranked team in the WAC.

The Rams won the National Invitational Softball Tournament in Sunnyvale, Calif., last weekend, coming back from the losers bracket to win five straight games. Colorado State defeated No. 15 Missouri and knocked off No. 12 Arizona State twice on Sunday to earn the title. For the week of March 10-16, the Rams went 5-1 versus teams in the top 25, sweeping then No. 25 San Diego State in a WAC doubleheader March 12.

At 21-8, Colorado State is off to its best start since 1989 - the first of two consecutive conference championships in the old High Country Athletic Conference. The 1989 squad finished 37-14, the best mark in school history and was the last to be ranked in the top 25, going as high as 10th. With a 4-2 conference record this season, the Rams are off to their best start in league games since joining the WAC in 1991.

Colorado State returns to action Saturday and Sunday with six games at the Creighton Invitational in Omaha, Neb. The Rams will have two games each against Drake, Missouri-Kansas City and Creighton. Colorado State opens home WAC play March 29 with a 1 p.m. doubleheader at Ram Field versus conference newcomer Tulsa.