LA JOLLA, Calif. - UC San Diego was named the "Hottest Softball College of 2009" at the Division II level, officials from CaptainU.com, a recruiting web site, announced Thursday. Using data from prospective softball student-athletes, the selection criteria employed by the site included popularity, competitiveness and academic quality.

"It was a nice surprise to receive this honor," UCSD head coach Patti Gerckens said. "Considering the opening of our beautiful new field in 2010 and our playoff success in recent years, we are very proud of the direction our program is headed."

At the D-I level, Depaul, San Diego State and the University of San Diego topped the ranks. Florida Gulf Coast and Grand Valley State followed UCSD on the D-II stage.

The summary of the Tritons' No. 1 ranking reads: "Close your eyes for a minute and imagine what paradise looks like. Odds are, you're thinking of La Jolla, California. Add to the mix a new stadium and head coach Patti Gerckens -- a member of the 400+ win club -- and UCSD is just about perfect. And if that wasn't enough, 16 Nobel Prizes and the annual watermelon drop means UCSD offers a great mix of academics and fun."

Gerckens' 2009 squad finished with an overall record of 30-25 and earned their second-ever NCAA postseason victory with a 2-1 win over California Collegiate Athletic Association rival Cal State Monterey Bay.

The Tritons will open their 2010 campaign at the Mizuno Best of the West Invitational on February 5, before playing their first official game at their new home field on February 12 against Chico State.