Brenau Gets NAIA #4 Ranking!

Fresh off their unprecedented run at the NAIA National Softball Championships, the Golden Tigers received some welcome news when the latest NAIA Softball Coaches' Postseason Top 25 Poll was released by the national office on Tuesday. Brenau finished third at the tournament and were rewarded with the biggest jump of any in the national poll.

The No. 1 ranking in the NAIA went to Shorter University following their nine-inning victory over Oklahoma City on May 23 in the 32nd annual national championship. National runner-up Oklahoma City landed at No. 2 with 542 total points. No. 3 Cal State San Marcos gathered 516 total points- good enough for third in the nation.

The biggest improvement, however, came for Brenau -moving all the way from # 16 to #4 in the nation! The Golden Tigers, who finished with 500 points in the poll, made it to the final three in the national championship. This was the best season for a Golden Tigers softball team. Brenau had received a pre-season #5 ranking last fall before the official start of the season in February.

The Golden Tigers will return a strong contingent of the team for the 2013 season. Included amongst those returnees are NAIA All-Tournament Team members Tiffany Schandera and pitcher Anna Maness. Both players had outstanding tournaments and will return to help lead the team to back to the tournament next year.

The Golden Tigers end their season with an overall record of 44-16. Brenau was 5-2 at the NAIA National Tournament and are 6-4 overall in national tournament appearances. The Golden Tigers participated in the 2009 tournament in Decatur, Alabama.