The Missouri Southern softball team has been picked to finish ninth in the MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll, the league announced today.
Southern is coming off a season that saw the Lions finish 19-25 overall and 10-16 in the MIAA.
The team returns a total of five starters from last year's team including two honorable mention MIAA players in senior second baseman Makaila Leonhart and sophomore shortstop Josie Tofpi.
Leonhart upon transferring from Crowder became one of the most consistent hitters for the Lions in the two spot of the lineup. She closed out her first season in the green and gold leading the team in slugging percentage (.522) in a starting role, total bases (70) and tied for first in walks (9), second in batting average (.343), on-base percentage (396), hits (46), runs scored (29), triples (3), and tied in at-bats (134) and doubles (9) as one of four players to start in every game.
Tofpi registered an outstanding freshman season, starting every single contest at shortstop for the Lions and finishing first on the team in batting average (.367), on-base percentage (.407), at-bats (139), hits (51), runs scored (31), triples (4), tied for walks (9), and in fielding assists (110) while taking second in total bases (68) and tied for doubles (9) while also end the year as one of four players to start in every game.
In total, the Lions return 11 position players, as well as four pitchers from last year's team. A group of five newcomers also return to the fold.
Defending MIAA regular-season and tournament champion, Central Oklahoma was tabbed in the top spot. UCO received 12 first-place votes and 168 points in the poll.
The second spot went to Missouri Western with 152 points as the third position went to Central Missouri. Both the Griffons and Jennies received a first-place vote. Rogers State and Washburn tied for fourth with 126 points in the preseason ranking.
The Lions open up the regular season on February 8th playing in the Edmond Regional Festival I at Central Oklahoma. Southern takes on East Central University at 12:00 pm in the first of four games that weekend in Oklahoma City and Edmond.
The complete poll is listed below.
2020 MIAA Softball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (12) - 168 points
2. Missouri Western (1) - 152 points
3. Central Missouri (1) - 136 points
T4. Rogers State - 126 points
T4. Washburn - 126 points
T6. Emporia State - 99 points
T6. Northeastern State - 99 points
8. Pittsburg State - 76 points
9. Missouri Southern - 74 points
10. Fort Hays State - 73 points
11. Nebraska Kearney - 54 points
12. Northwest Missouri - 52 points
13. Newman - 23 points
14. Lincoln - 16 points
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