SLIPPERY ROCK, Pa. – Coming off a successful week on the diamond, including its first series victory over conference rival USC Aiken since 2008, the UNCP baseball team continued its climb in the national polls, this time jumping two spots to No. 10 in the latest top 25 by the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association.

UNCP (23-4, 7-4 PBC) secured its best 25-game start in program history with a comeback win over USC Aiken in the front half of a series-opening doubleheader on Saturday, and went on to take the series with a 5-4 triumph in Sunday's rubber game. The Black and Gold had started its week with an 11-2 drubbing of Mars Hill on Wednesday. The results, coupled with a loss to the Pacers in Saturday's doubleheader nightcap, completed an 8-1 home stand for the Black and Gold.

The Braves are one of three Peach Belt Conference teams included in the latest listing by the NCWBA, joining ninth-ranked Georgia College and No. 22 Armstrong Atlantic in the weekly release. The top four teams in the poll remain the same with Emporia State holding down the top spot. Mount Olive is second, West Florida is third and Grand Valley State is fourth. Undefeated Southern Connecticut State leaped eight spots to No. 5 in this week's poll.

In addition to the national ranking, the Braves continued their ascension in the NCBWA Southeast Region Top 10 and now sit in a second place tie alongside Georgia College. Mount Olive continues its stranglehold on the top spot in the region listing for the second-straight week, with PBC rivals Armstrong Atlantic (No. 4), Francis Marion (No. 7), Columbus State (No. 8) and North Georgia (No. 10) included in the region ranking as well.

The Braves will be back in action again on Tuesday when the club makes the short trek to Wilson to battle region rival Barton (12-15) in a 3 p.m. contest at Nixon Field.

NCBWA Top 25/Region Rankings (March 22)