SAN DIEGO – After advancing to the program's first super regional and a Los Angeles regional title to cap off the 2023 season, the San Diego State softball team has been ranked No. 18 in the final ESPN/USA Softball poll, and No. 19 in the final USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll. This is the third time the Aztecs have been named in the final USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll, and is the highest ranking in program history to conclude a season.
Stacey Nuveman Deniz, in her second year in charge of the program, led SDSU to a 39-17 record in 2023, a Mountain West tournament title, and out of the Los Angeles regional, where the Aztecs posted an impressive 3-0 record. San Diego State picked up wins over Liberty twice and Grand Canyon, outscored their opponents 19-3 over the three games. The pitching staff was dominant in the regional as well, posting a 1.00 ERA in 21 innings, striking out 22 against two walks and holding the opposition to a .181 average, earning the Aztecs their first super regional appearance in program history.
Over the course of the season, four players hit at least .340 for the Aztecs in 2023, including Bella Espinoza (.393, 57 R, 30 SB), Cali Decker (.368, 6 HR, 40 RBI, 29 R), Mac Barbara (.358, 13 HR, 45 RBI, 34 R) and Jillian Celis (.343, 6 HR, 48 RBI, 42 R). In the circle, the MW Pitcher of the Year Allie Light led the San Diego State pitching staff with a 15-7 record, school-record seven saves and a 1.90 ERA in 132.2 innings, while Sarah Lehman (11-5, 3 SV, 2.62 ERA, 91.0 IP) and Dee Dee Hernandez (8-3, 6 SV, 3.23 ERA. 82.1 IP) played key roles for the Aztecs throughout the season.
SDSU had three athletes earn NFCA West region honors in 2023, as Barbara earned first-team honors for the second straight year, while Decker and Light were named second-team all-West region, both for the first time in their careers. Additionally, San Diego State earned a league-high seven all-MW selections. Light was joined on the all-MW first team by Barbara and junior Makena Brocki, while four Aztecs landed on the second team, including Celis, Decker, Espinoza, and Lehman.
SDSU is the only Mountain West school named in the final USA Today/NFCA Coaches Poll.
San Diego State all-time USA Today/NFCA Final Rankings:
- No. 24 in 2001
- No. 24 in 2008
- No. 19 in 2023
The only other Mountain West teams to be ranked (at the time they were in the league):
- BYU No. 15 in 2010
- Fresno State No. 22 in 2016
- Fresno State No. 24 in 2020