The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association (MIAA) released its Preseason Coaches Softball Poll on Thursday (Feb. 2). Fort Hays State was picked sixth in a close vote, just two points behind fourth-place Central Missouri. Missouri Western, one of three teams to tie for the conference crown in 2011, received eight first-place votes and is the preseason pick to win the conference.

Fort Hays State, under the direction of first-year head coach Erin Kinberger, return four starters off of last season’s 30-22 club. FHSU finished seventh in MIAA play with an 11-11 record, but they advanced to the finals of the conference tournament before falling to Nebraska-Omaha.

The Tigers return three players who earned All-MIAA honors in 2011, led by first baseman Adriana Wortley. Wortley was a second-team All-MIAA choice as a junior and is a two-time all-conference and all-region pick and she is on the verge of breaking the school record for home runs in a career. Maddie Holub earned her second consecutive All-MIAA selection as a utility player last season after batting .313 and going 15-8 as a pitcher with a 2.27 ERA. Danie Brinkmann was an All-MIAA honorable mention selection at shortstop in 2011 and is the Tigers’ leading returner in batting average (.323) and hits (52).

Fort Hays State opens the 2012 season on February 14 with a home doubleheader against Nebraska-Kearney.

Below is the full 2012 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll:

2012 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1.     Missouri Western (8) – 98 pts.
2.     Emporia State (3) – 93 pts.
3.     Missouri Southern – 73 pts.
4.     Central Missouri – 67 pts.
5.     Northwest Missouri – 66 pts.
6.     Fort Hays State – 65 pts.
7.     Truman – 39 pts.
T8.   Pittsburg State – 33 pts.
T8.   Washburn – 33 pts.
10.   Lincoln – 28 pts.
11.   Southwest Baptist – 10 pts.

– FHSU Sports Information –