(From MSSU Lions Athletic News)
The Missouri Southern softball team has been picked to finish tenth in the preseason MIAA coaches poll as the league announced Wednesday morning.
The Lions ended the 2018 season 23-29 overall and 10-16 in conference play, but will quickly turn the page with tremendous depth provided by 13 returners (seven starters) that could make up a season full of surprises going forward.
"I look forward to see what we will accomplish this season," said first-year head coach Hallie Blackney who took over the position officially back in October upon spending two seasons at the Division I level as an assistant coach with George Washington University.
Two All-MIAA recipients are back in sophomore pitcher Natalie Hamm and junior infielder Erika Lutgen. Hamm registered 107 strikeouts, good for seventh in the MIAA, while recording a 3.02 ERA and an 8-8 record in 24 starts as a freshman. Lutgen returns as the team's best hitter after batting .364, blasting a team-high five home runs and knocking in 33 RBIs.
Along with Lutgen, the Lions bring back two other top-five hitters from last season in outfielders Elizabeth Windsor (.331) and senior Lexi Ferrari (.285). Senior infielder Angel Badalamenti could be another player called upon for timely hitting after knocking in 25 RBIs for third on the team; Lutgen (33) being first and Windsor (22) fourth in RBIs.
Defending MIAA regular-season champions Washburn were picked to repeat receiving 11 first place votes, followed by Central Oklahoma receiving two in second while last year's MIAA tournament winner Emporia State snagged the final vote despite being chosen eighth.
The Lions open the 2019 season with double duty on Feb. 9 against Ouachita Baptist at noon and Midwestern State at 2:00 pm to lead off back-to-back trips to Bentonville, Arkansas for the UAM Division II Softball (Feb. 9-10) and 9-State Classics (Feb. 15-17).
2019 MIAA Preseason Softball Coaches Poll
Washburn (11) - 162 points
Central Oklahoma (2) - 151 points
Central Missouri - 141 points
Northwest Missouri - 133 points
Missouri Western - 113 points
Northeastern State - 111 points
Lindenwood - 103 points
Emporia State (1) - 93 points
Pittsburg State - 65 points
Missouri Southern - 58 points
Nebraska Kearney - 57 points
Fort Hays State - 46 points
Southwest Baptist - 28 points
Lincoln - 13 points*Coaches cannot vote for their own team
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