ST. JOSEPH, Mo. – The MIAA released its 2021 preseason softball coaches' poll Friday and Missouri Western is picked to finished third in the league this season.
The Griffons received one first place vote as Central Oklahoma is the preseason favorite to win the MIAA and Rogers State is second. UCO received six first place votes and Rogers State had the most first place votes with seven.
Missouri Western will open its 2021 season on Friday, February 19 at the Harding Invitational in Searcy, Arkansas. The Griffons will play Arkansas Tech and Harding on February 19, and then square off against Drury and Arkansas-Monticello on February 20.
MWSU finished the 2020 season 13-9 and they were 2-0 in the MIAA before the season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Griffons had won seven of their last eight games before the season was shut down. Western brings back 16 players off of last year's roster, including four players in
Brea Blanton,
Kaili Hinds,
Sydni Hawkins and
Emma Hoffart who earned All-MIAA honors in 2019. The Griffons went 38-18 and 21-5 in the MIAA in 2019 and made their 11
th trip to the NCAA Tournament.
Jen Bagley Trotter begins her 20
th season as head coach at Missouri Western and is the all-time winningest coach in MIAA history with a record of 649-385.
2021 MIAA SOFTBALL PRESEASON COACHES' POLL
1. Central Oklahoma (6) – 159 points
2. Rogers State (7) – 154 points
3. Missouri Western (1) – 145 points
4. Central Missouri – 138 points
5. Washburn – 115 points
6. Emporia State – 102 points
7. Northeastern State – 101 points
8. Fort Hays State – 77 points
9. Pittsburg State – 69 points
10. Nebraska-Kearney – 64 points
11. Missouri Southern – 62 points
12. Northwest Missouri – 48 points
13. Newman – 25 points
14. Lincoln – 15 points
