TUSCON, Ariz. - The Tarleton baseball team is ranked No. 15 in the most recent Collegiate Baseball Newspaper NCAA Division II poll, marking the first time in school history that the Texans have been ranked since joining DII in 1995.

After making history with a 14-2 start, the best ever for Tarleton, the Texans finally earned the respect and national attention they were hoping for.

Tarleton has three wins over ranked teams this season, including victories of then No. 16 Incarnate Word and then No. 15 St. Mary's.  The Texans will get a rematch against St. Mary's Tuesday, who is currently No. 13 in the most recent poll.

Tarleton is the highest ranked team in the Lone Star Conference and leads the LSC with a 10-2 record amongst conference opponents.  This is all after the Texans were projected to finish sixth in the preseason polls.

West Texas A&M is No. 19, while Abilene Christian is tied at No. 30.

Head coach Bryan Conger spoke about the respect his team has earned this season.

"We are excited for the kids to receive this recognition and we are proud of the hard work and dedication they have put in to get to this point," said Conger.  "However, our focus is on the next 200 feet in front of us and that is practice today.  We will do our best to get 1% better today than we were the last time we were together as a team.  We have said before the season is a journey and as long as we stick to controlling the process we will see where the journey takes us.”

The Texans host No. 13 St. Mary's Tuesday at Cecil Ballow Baseball Complex.