Missouri Western Tabbed Softball Preseason No. 1

KANSAS CITY, Mo. -- Defending MIAA co-champion Missouri Western was voted preseason No. 1 in the 2012 MIAA Softball Coaches Poll, the conference office announced Thursday.

The Griffons collected eight first-place votes and 98 total points to take the top spot. DefendingMIAA co-champion Emporia State received three first-place votes and 93 points to come in at No. 2.

Missouri Western and Emporia State both advanced to one of the two NCAA Division II South Central Regional four-team tournaments last season before falling short of advancing to the best-of-three regional championship series. MWSU is ranked No. 23 in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division II Preseason Top 25.

Missouri Southern earned the No. 3 spot in the preseason coaches poll with 73 points, followed by Central Missouri at No. 4 with 67 points, Northwest Missouri at No. 5 with 66 points, and Fort Hays State at No. 6 with 65 points.

Truman checks in at No. 7 with 39 points, Pittsburg State and Washburn tied for the No. 8 spot with 33 points apiece, Lincoln is No. 10 with 28 points, and Southwest Baptist is No. 11 with 10 points.

2012 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Missouri Western (8) – 98 pts.
2. Emporia State (3) – 93 pts.
3. Missouri Southern – 73 pts.
4. Central Missouri – 67 pts.
5. Northwest Missouri – 66 pts.
6. Fort Hays State – 65 pts.
7. Truman – 39 pts.
T8. Pittsburg State – 33 pts.
T8. Washburn – 33 pts.
10. Lincoln – 28 pts.
11. Southwest Baptist – 10 pts.