SALT LAKE CITY - The National Fastpitch Coaches Association and USA Today ranked Utah Softball No. 15 in the nation in its annual preseason poll while ESPN.com and USA Softball put the Utes at No. 16.
With four teams in the top 10 and six in the top 25, the Pac-12 ranked second to the SEC's nine selections.
The Utes ranked No. 14 in the nation to close the 2017 season, the best finish in program history since the NCAA began keeping records in 1995.
Utah finished 37-16, its best record since 1997, and had its best mark in Pac-12 play (13-9) since joining the conference in 2012.
The Utes reached the postseason for a 21st time and qualified for the NCAA Tournament in a third straight year, a program first. Utah also advanced to a second-straight NCAA Super Regional and hosted a NCAA Regional for the first time.
Utah opens play next weekend in Tempe, Ariz. at the Kajikawa Classic. The Utes begin with a doubleheader Friday (Feb. 9) vs. New Mexico and No. 25/25 Georgia and continues with contests against Nebraska, No. 11/12 Tennessee and Saint Mary's (CA)