Oregon softball will once again begin its season ranked in the top 10 nationally.

The Ducks were picked No. 4 in the preseason USA Softball top-25 poll and No. 6 in the preseason National Fastpitch Coaches Association poll, the two organizations announced on Tuesday.

The Ducks, who have won three straight Pac-12 championships, received 428 points to come in at No. 4, just behind LSU with 446 votes in third in the USA Softball poll. The reigning national champion Florida Gators were No. 1, followed by Michigan.

In the NFCA poll, the Ducks were ranked No. 6, behind Florida, Michigan, LSU, Auburn and Alabama.

Last year after advancing to the Women’s College World Series for the third time in four seasons, the Ducks finished No. 7 in the final polls.

Oregon begins its season on Feb. 12 at the Kajikawa Classic in Tempe, Arizona and has its home opener at the new Jane Sanders Stadium on March 24 against Stanford.

Follow Jonathan Hawthorne on Twitter @Jon_Hawthorne