For the first time since Collegiate Baseball started publishing Division I rankings in 1959, the rankings will feature the Sacramento State baseball team, according to Sac State Athletics.

The Hornets are ranked 24th among college teams after beating then-24th ranked Stanford last Monday, leapfrogging them in the poll as the Cardinal dropped to 25th.

“It’s a sign that people are taking notice of what these guys are doing, taking notice of what teams before had done,” said Sac State head baseball coach Reggie Christiansen. “I think it’s certainly a big deal to this group, but it might be a bigger deal to the teams that came before these guys.” 

Despite being in second place in the WAC standings, the Hornets are the only team representing the Western Athletic Conference in Collegiate Baseball’s poll.

“It’s something we’ve all been working towards,” said junior pitcher Brady Rodriguez. “It’s something that our team believes we are worthy of. Right now we’re playing good baseball and people are starting to recognize Sac State as a baseball program.” 

Collegiate Baseball is one of five polls published on the NCAA website, marking a historic start to the Hornets season.

“One of the dreams, goals and visions of this program is to be a top-25 type of a program, it’s something that certainly takes time to build,” Christiansen said. 

The Hornets are set to take on New Mexico State this weekend at John Smith Field, starting with a doubleheader Friday as the Hornets return to action following last weekend’s canceled series against Creighton due to a positive COVID-19 test within Sac State’s baseball program.