KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Softball was picked eighth in the 2022 MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Friday (Jan. 28). The Tigers are coming off a 2021 season when they went 24-22 overall and finished sixth in the MIAA with a record of 17-9.
The 17-9 mark in MIAA play last year was the best for the program since 2014 and best under head coach Adrian Pilkington. However, the Tigers lost 11 players from last year's squad that made the MIAA Tournament and have 14 newcomers on the squad this season, which are all underclassmen. They will mix in with just seven veterans from last year's team as the team seeks postseason play for the second straight year.
The most experienced Tiger of the returners is Sara Breckbill, who will play a fifth season for the Tigers by taking advantage of the extra year the NCAA provided to athletes from the 2020 season being cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Breckbill has logged plenty of time behind the plate as one of the primary Tiger signal callers, but she has also spent plenty of time at first base giving Coach Pilkington flexibility in keeping her bat in the lineup. Breckbill led the team in last year with a .331 average and collected 13 extra-base hits (11 doubles, 2 home runs) with a team-best 27 RBIs.
Other key offensive contributors returning include Loren Beggs, Sarah Tiffany, Jessica Espinoza, Elise Capra, and Betsy Parmley. Beggs was the only other Tiger to finish last season with a batting average over .300 at .326, and she led the team with 15 extra-base hits (7 doubles, 3 triples, 5 home runs). She was one RBI shy of tying Breckbill for the team lead and both had on-base percentages over .400.
Espinoza is the only returner with any experience in the pitching circle for the Tigers. She had a 2.33 ERA in a limited six innings of work behind Michaelanne Nelson and Hailey Chapman, who both were All-MIAA performers during their careers with the Tigers. Nelson and Chapman, along with key reliever Megan Jamison, were all lost to their collegiate eligibility expiring. Therefore, the Tigers will have several young new faces in the circle this season in the likes of Morgan Schmidt, Erika Flynn, Savannah Egger, and Bailey Carlson.
Central Oklahoma was picked as the favorite to win the conference regular season for a third straight season. The Bronchos won the regular season title in both 2019 and 2021, with the 2020 season ending mid-season due to the COVID-19 pandemic. UCO received eight first place votes, while Central Missouri received six and was picked second in the poll. The Jennies finished second in the regular season standings last year before winning the MIAA Tournament. Both UCO and UCM are ranked in the NFCA Preseason Top 25 to start the year.
The Tigers are set to begin their season next weekend in Denver, where they are scheduled to take on MSU Denver and Regis University in a pair of doubleheaders. Following that, they will head to the Oklahoma City area twice and Topeka twice for several games in regional play before entering MIAA play on March 11.
2022 MIAA Softball Preseason Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (8) – 162
2. Central Missouri (6) - 158
3. Rogers State – 142
4. Missouri Southern – 124
5. Missouri Western – 118
6. Washburn – 117
7. Northeastern State – 86
8. Fort Hays State – 85
9. Emporia State – 73
10. Pittsburg State – 64
11. Northwest Missouri – 58
12. Nebraska Kearney – 47
13. Newman – 25
14. Lincoln – 15
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