FHSU Sports Information
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The MIAA released its 2020 Softball Preseason Poll on Wednesday (Jan. 29). All head coaches from the conference vote on the poll, which listed the Tigers 10th. FHSU opens up its season on February 7 in Lubbock, Texas.
The Tigers finished alone in ninth place last year among the 14-team conference with an MIAA record of 13-13, just one game out of qualifying for the MIAA Tournament. There was a four-way tie for fifth place at 14-12. The Tigers are looking to jump into the top eight this year and make their first MIAA Tournament since 2016.
The Tigers have an experienced squad this year with 15 upperclassmen among the 20 total players on the squad. There are seven seniors and eight juniors, which includes 10 returners and 5 transfers.
Several of those returners were key contributors to the Tiger offense last year. Grace Philop was the team leader in batting average (.331, while Terran Caldwell led in hits (54) and runs scored (34). Bailey Boxberger led in RBIs with 37, while Elise Capra led in home runs (6) and slugging percentage (.508). Sara Breckbill was the team leader in extra-base hits with 16.
In the pitching circle, the Tigers have three returners led by seniors Hailey Chapman and Michaelanne Nelson. Chapman was the team leader in wins (12, appearances (35, complete games (15, saves (3, innings pitched (152.2) and strikeouts (174, while Nelson led in earned run average (3.13) and won 10 games in 127.1 innings pitched. Megan Jamison picked up 25.2 innings of relief work and went 2-0 for the season. The Tigers add transfer Mahealani Haegele to the pitching mix this year.
Chapman (pitcher, Breckbill (catcher, Caldwell (outfield) and Lily Sale (shortstop) were All-MIAA selections last year. Breckbill is a two-time all-conference selection, receiving second-team honors last year, while the other three received honorable mention nods.
The Tigers will begin the season away from home for two straight weekends in Texas and Oklahoma before their first scheduled home date against Kansas Wesleyan on February 19.
Central Oklahoma, the 2019 MIAA Champion, is the favorite to repeat this season with a nearly unanimous 12 first place votes. FHSU received 73 voting points in the poll, only three back of Pittsburg State in eighth.
Below is the 2020 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll.
2020 MIAA Softball Coaches Preseason Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (12) - 168 points
2. Missouri Western (1) - 152 points
3. Central Missouri (1) - 136 points
T4. Rogers State - 126 points
T4. Washburn - 126 points
T6. Emporia State - 99 points
T6. Northeastern State - 99 points
8. Pittsburg State - 76 points
9. Missouri Southern - 74 points
10. Fort Hays State - 73 points
11. Nebraska Kearney - 54 points
12. Northwest Missouri - 52 points
13. Newman - 23 points
14. Lincoln - 16 points