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Brooklyn Ryan

Softball Chris Brannick

Bronchos Picked Second In MIAA Preseason Coaches' Poll

Central Oklahoma Opens 2026 Season Jan. 30 In Branson, Missouri

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Central Oklahoma was picked second in the MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll announced Friday, with the Bronchos receiving one first-place vote in the poll of 13 league head coaches.
 
Pittsburg State was picked first with 10 first-place votes. Missouri Southern and Rogers State also received first-place votes and are third and fourth behind the Bronchos respectively. Central Missouri rounds out the top five.
 
Washburn, Missouri Western, Emporia State, Northwest Missouri, and Fort Hays State are sixth through 10th, with Nebraska Kearney, Northeastern State, and Newman the final three in the poll.
 
UCO begins the 2026 season at the Branson Leadoff Classic Jan. 30 – Feb. 1 in Missouri. The Bronchos make their home debut Feb. 6-8 with the UCO-OC Classic at Gerry Pinkston Stadium in Edmond.
 
Central Oklahoma went 52-11 last season with a 20-4 record in the MIAA. The Bronchos won the MIAA regular season championship and also won the league's postseason tournament title. UCO hosted and won the Central Region to clinch a spot in the NCAA Division II Softball Championship in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
 
Sam Maples took over the program following the 2025 season and is set to lead the Bronchos in 2026. She has 10 returners from last year's squad, including All-American outfielder Rylee Lemos and veteran infielder Rylee Anglen. The two have played in more than 300 combined games in the Bronze & Blue.
 
UCO will 24 games in five different tournaments over the first month of the season. After five more non-conference contests, the Bronchos will open MIAA play and its 24-game slate the third weekend in March. Central has three other non-conference games in April scheduled.
 
The 2026 MIAA Softball Championship is scheduled for May 6-10 in Emporia, Kansas.
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Players Mentioned

Rylee Anglen

#9 Rylee Anglen

IF
5' 3"
Senior
L/R
Rylee Lemos

#8 Rylee Lemos

OF
5' 6"
Senior
L/R

Players Mentioned

Rylee Anglen

#9 Rylee Anglen

5' 3"
Senior
L/R
IF
Rylee Lemos

#8 Rylee Lemos

5' 6"
Senior
L/R
OF
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