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TUCSON, Ariz. --- Off to its best start in school history, the Tusculum College baseball team is ranked 23^rd in the nation according to this week’s Collegiate Baseball Newspaper’s NCAA Division II Coaches Poll announced officials Monday.

 The Pioneers (10-0, 3-0 in South Atlantic Conference) have received 124 total points and is the only undefeated team remaining in the NCAA II Southeast Region.

 West Florida is the new No. 1 team in the country as the Argonauts have received 476 points and climb two spots in the poll. Tampa is second followed by Central Missouri, Columbus State, Grand Valley State, LeMoyne, Emporia State, St. Cloud State, UNC Pembroke and Millersville to comprise the nation’s top 10.

 St. Mary’s is 11^th, followed by Francis Marion, Delta State, Southern Connecticut State, Cal State Chico, Franklin Pierce, Armstrong, Western Oregon, Mercyhurst, Mount Olive, Harding, Winona State, Tusculum, Angelo State, North Alabama, North Georgia, Minnesota State-Mankato, Southern Indiana, USC Aiken and Tarleton State.

 Tusculum posted a 4-0 record last week with a 9-3 win over Shepherd in the Pioneers’ home opener. TC followed that with a three-game sweep over defending SAC Tournament Champion Wingate as the Pioneers averaged 12 runs per game against the Bulldogs over the weekend.

 Tusculum will play five games this week, including four at Pioneer Park where TC is 186-60 over the last 11 seasons. The Pioneers will host Limestone for a 3 p.m. contest on Tuesday, before traveling to North Greenville on Wednesday for a 2 p.m. game. TC will host arch-rival Carson-Newman this weekend for a three-game SAC series, beginning with Friday’s 6 p.m. opener.