Add another UCF program to the nationally ranked squads.

Ronnie Richardson and the Knights are ranked No. 23 in the nation, their first ranking since 2008. (Kurt Rivers | Knightnews.com)

The UCF baseball team climbed into the nation’s elite Monday, nabbing the No. 23 spot in the Collegiate Baseball Newspaper top 25 rankings.

The Knights boast a record of 18-6 and took two-of-three games against Conference USA rival Rice this past weekend. They are ranked in the top 25 for the first time since reaching as high as No. 16 in 2008.

Sponsored Link (Story Continues Below)

The baseball team joins men’s basketball (19/18), football (21/20), men’s soccer (18), women’s soccer (18) and indoor track (8) as the athletic programs to be ranked in the top 25 rankings this year.

This year, UCF has three wins over ranked teams, including beating No. 23 Rice twice and No. 29 Alabama. Based on the polls just released, UCF will play 13 opponents that are currently ranked in the top 25, including two games against Stetson this week and a home weekend series against Southern Miss.