ST. JOSEPH – The Missouri Western softball team, who won the 2016 MIAA regular season and tournament championships, was picked second in the 2017 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.

The Griffons received two first place votes and were picked behind NFCA Preseason No. 19 Central Oklahoma in the poll.

Last year, Jen Bagley Trotter’s squad swept both MIAA titles for the first time in program history and advanced to the NCAA Central Sub-Regional Championship before falling to Southern Arkansas. MWSU finished 43-15 last season and 23-3 in the MIAA.

The 2017 team returns six 2016 All-MIAA selections, highlighted by first team honorees Morgan Rathmann and Katie Klosterman. Both were also named NFCA and D2CCA All-Region last year, and Klosterman was named MIAA Co-Defensive Player of the Year.

The 2017 season begins Feb. 4 at the Ronnie Hawkins Invitational in Arkadelphia, Arkansas.

2017 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (12) – 168
2. Missouri Western (2) – 152
3. Pittsburg State – 151
4. Northwest Missouri – 128
5. Central Missouri – 105
6. Northeastern State – 101
7. Southwest Baptist – 90
8. Emporia State – 86
9. Fort Hays State – 75
10. Missouri Southern – 62
11. Washburn – 55
12. Nebraska-Kearney – 46
13. Lindenwood – 40
14. Lincoln – 13

— MWSU Athletics —