USA Today/NFCA Poll (Feb. 10)FULLERTON, Calif. – Following an upset victory over then No. 21 Notre Dame in the SoCal Collegiate Challenge and a 4-1 start to the season, Cal State Fullerton softball has entered the USA Today/NFCA poll as the 25th-ranked team in the nation, it was announced Tuesday.
Rejuvenated under third-year head coach Kelly Ford, the Titans last entered the USA Today/NFCA poll in week three of the 2009 campaign. CSUN is the only other Big West foe in consideration for this week's poll, currently receiving votes (4).
In the Fullerton-hosted SoCal Collegiate Challenge this past weekend, the Titans reeled off victories over Purdue, 5-3, and Idaho State, 3-1, on opening day before downing Northwestern State, 6-4, and stunning No. 21 Notre Dame in a come from behind 8-7 walk-off in the seventh frame.
Reigning Big West Softball Player of the Year Missy Taukieaho was an intricate part of the Titans' success, posting a whopping .563 (9-for-16) average, clubbing a combined three round-trippers in the past three contests including her first career two-homer game as a Titan in a 3-for-3 effort to send Notre Dame its first loss.
University of Arizona transfer Courtney Rodriguez is also off to a fast start, batting at a .467 clip while leading the team in RBIs (7), doubles (2) and triples (2).
No. 25 Cal State Fullerton will now travel to Las Vegas for the UNLV Desert Classic on Friday as the Titans face Boise State (3:45 p.m.) and Nevada (6:00 p.m.) to open the three-day tournament.
