For the first time in program history, the Northwest Missouri State University baseball team is ranked nationally in the American Baseball Coaches Association's Top 30 Poll.

The Bearcats (26-9 overall, 16-5 MIAA) surged into the poll at No. 29 this week by gaining 20 points. Northwest will take on Missouri Western in a single game in St. Joseph, Mo., on Wednesday before starting a three-game road series with No. 9-ranked Rogers State Thursday in Claremore, Okla.

ABCA NCAA Div. II Coaches Poll
1. Catawba                              28-7
2. Tampa                                 28-5
3. Colorado Mesa                   34-3
4. North Greenville                 32-7
5. West Alabama                    28-8
6. Pittsburg State                    28-7
7. Francis Marion                   30-8
8. North Georgia                     31-9
9. Rogers State                        30-5
10. Grand Valley State           26-6
11. Rollins                              23-9
12. Point Loma                       32-7
13. Cal St. Monterey Bay       25-9
14. Texas-Tyler                      29-9
15. Belmont Abbey                 28-8
16. Central Missouri               25-8
17. West Florida                     27-9
18. West Chester                     22-5
19. Seton Hill                          25-6
20. Wingate                            28-10
21. St. Mary's (Texas)            28-10
22. Lenoir-Rhyne                    26-8-1
23. Young Harris                    28-10
24. Bentley                              22-8
25. Augustana, S.D.                24-8
26. Eckerd                               24-8
27. Westmont                          21-9
28. Minnesota State                19-7
29. Northwest Missouri St.     26-9
30. MSU Denver                     28-6
      Illinois-Springfield           25-8