KANSAS CITY, Mo. (Jan. 28) – Central Oklahoma is the narrow favorite to repeat as Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association softball champions, according to the preseason poll released Friday by the league office.
The Bronchos -- who went 21-5 in the league last year to win their third title in five years -- received eight first-place votes and finished with 162 points in balloting of the conference's 14 head coaches. Central Missouri is close behind with 158 points after earning the remaining six first-place votes.
Rogers State is third in the poll, followed by Missouri Southern, Missouri Western, Washburn, Northeastern State, Fort Hays State, Emporia State, Pittsburg State, Northwest Missouri, Nebraska-Kearney, Newman and Lincoln.
UCO finished 36-14 overall last year in advancing to the NCAA Division II national tournament for the 13th time since 2002. The Bronchos return seven position starters and three pitchers from that squad and were ranked No. 20 in last week's preseason Division II poll.
Central opens the 2022 season next week at the Arkansas Tech Invitational in Conroe, Texas. The Bronchos will five games in that event, including showdowns with top-ranked Texas-Tyler and No. 16 Southern Arkansas.
2022 MIAA Softball Preseason Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (8) – 162 points
2. Central Missouri (6) - 158
3. Rogers State – 142
4. Missouri Southern – 124
5. Missouri Western – 118
6. Washburn – 117
7. Northeastern State – 86
8. Fort Hays State – 85
9. Emporia State – 73
10. Pittsburg State – 64
11. Northwest Missouri – 58
12. Nebraska Kearney – 47
13. Newman – 25
14. Lincoln – 15
