SANFORD, Fla. - Northwest went unranked and without receiving votes in the NJCAA Division II Baseball Preseason rankings last week, but that doesn't mean everyone is counting out the Rangers this season.

Perfect Game USA released its JUCO Top 50 list on Tuesday afternoon, slotting Northwest at No. 29 in the nation, including JUCO programs from the NJCAA, CCCAA (California Community College Athletic Association) and the NWAC (Northwest Athletic Conference). Additionally, Perfect Game's list also includes all Division I, Division II and Division III programs from the NJCAA level.

In contrast to the NJCAA's preseason rankings, Northwest is the second-highest MACCC program represented in the JUCO Top 50 list and one of only three from the Magnolia State. Pearl River tops the MACCC representation at No. 8, followed by the Rangers and East Central at No. 40. 

Iowa Western, McLennan (Texas), Chipola (Fla.), Blinn (Texas) and Northwest Florida round out the top five, followed by New Mexico, Florence-Darlington (S.C.), Pearl River, Johnson County (Kan.) and Weatherford (Texas) in slots 6-10, respectively.

Northwest is slated to open the 2025 season on Saturday, February 1 against Bevill State. The home-opening doubleheader will begin at 1 P.M., with live coverage provided on Ranger TV.