The Missouri Western softball team has been picked to finish third in the MIAA Preseason Softball Poll which announced Wednesday afternoon. The Griffons were the runner up a year ago finishing 42-13 overall and 18-2 in league play. They made their 6th trip to the NCAA Tournament in the past eight years.

Missouri Western received 176 points, putting them just three points behind second place Central Oklahoma. The Bronchos gathered three first place votes and 177 total points.

Defending MIAA regular season and tournament champion Emporia State has been picked No. 1 in the MIAA Preseason Softball Poll. They received 12 first place votes and 194 points. They finished with a 42-11 record a season ago and went undefeated in MIAA play.

Fort Hays State earns the No. 4 spot with 153 points, just ten ahead of No. 5 Pittsburg State. Washburn is in the No. 7 spot with 103 points while No. 8 Northwest Missouri registered 92 points. League newcomer Northeastern State has 83 points in the No. 9 spot while Nebraska-Kearney has 81 in the No. 10 spot.

Missouri Southern comes in at No. 11 with 77 points ahead of No. 12 Truman. Lindenwood received 52 points and the No. 13 spot in the poll. Just two points separate No. 14 Lincoln (25) and No. 15 Southwest Baptist (23).

The Griffons open up the 2013 season on Friday, February 8 in Durant, Okla. The Griffons will play six games in three days, participating in the Southeastern Oklahoma State South Central Shootout.

The Griffons will take on Cameron University and host Southeastern Oklahoma State on Friday, February 8 at 10:00 am and 12:00 pm. They will take on Southern Nazerene University and Henderson State University on Saturday, February 9 at 10:00 am and 4:00 pm and will wrap up the shootout on Sunday, February 10th with games against Drury University and Ouachita Baptist. Those games will be played at 10:00 amd 12:00 pm respectively.

2013 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Emporia State (12)             194
2. Central Oklahoma (3)        177
3. Missouri Western              176
4. Fort Hays State                    153
5. Pittsburg State                     143
6. Central Missouri                  128
7. Washburn                             103
8. Northwest Missouri             92
9. Northeastern State              83
10. Nebraska-Kearney           81
11. Missouri Southern             77
12. Truman                               68
13. Lindenwood                       52
14. Lincoln                                25
15. Southwest Baptist            23

— MWSU Sports Information —