KANSAS CITY, Mo. – With a little more than one week before the first pitch of the 2018 season, the Missouri Western softball team was picked second in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

Missouri Western received 140 total points in the poll, 29 fewer than defending regular and postseason champion Central Oklahoma. The Griffons were five points ahead of Northwest Missouri which received one first place vote.

The Griffons return six position players and two pitchers from the 2017 team that went 38-20 overall and finished fourth in the MIAA with a 16-10 conference record. Top returners include 2017 second team All-MIAA shortstop Shelbie Atwell; 2017 honorable mention All-MIAA catcher Rebekah Mueller; 2017 honorable mention All-MIAA outfielder Shelby Uhl; and 2017 honorable mention All-MIAA pitcher Barbara Billingsley.

Jen Bagley Trotter’s squad is coming off four-straight NCAA regional tournament appearances and 10 in the last 13 seasons. The three-time MIAA Coach of the Year has led the Griffon softball program to seven-straight 35-plus win seasons. At 573-329 entering her 17th year as the Griffon softball head coach, Trotter is second all-time among MIAA head coaches in wins. Only former Missouri Western and Central Missouri head coach Rhesa Sumrell (614) has more.

The 2018 Missouri Western softball season begins Feb. 10 in Bentonville, Arkansas, where the Griffons will play four games in two days as part of the Arkansas Monticello Division II Challenge.

2018 MIAA PRESEASON SOFBALL POLL
1. Central Oklahoma (13) – 169 points
2. Missouri Western – 140 points
3. Northwest Missouri (1) – 135 points
4. Central Missouri – 133 points
5. Southwest Baptist – 114 points
T6. Emporia State – 101 points
T6. Missouri Southern – 101 points
8. Pittsburg State – 95 points
9. Northeastern State – 73 points
10. Washburn – 71 points
11. Lindenwood – 53 points
12. Fort Hays State – 43 points
13. Nebraska Kearney – 30 points
14. Lincoln – 16 points

— MWSU Athletics —