KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletics Association announced its 2022 Softball Preseason Coaches Poll. Defending MIAA champions Central Oklahoma tabbed the top spot in the poll for the third consecutive season.  
 
The Bronchos were picked first in the preseason coaches poll with 162 points and eight first-place votes. The Bronchos won their second consecutive MIAA Regular Season championship in 2021 and advanced to the NCAA Division II Central Region Championship.
 
Defending MIAA Tournament champions Central Missouri finished second in the poll with 158 points and the remaining six first-place votes. The Jennies 2021 season also ended in the NCAA Division II Regional Tournament. Rogers State finished third with 142 points while Missouri Southern came in fourth with 124 points. Missouri Western rounded out the top-five with 118 points.
 
Just one point behind the Griffons in sixth was Washburn with 117 points. Northeastern State came in seventh with 86 points and Fort Hays State finished eighth with 85 points. Emporia State was ninth with 73 points while Pittsburg State finished in the 10^th spot with 64 points.
 
Northwest Missouri was picked 11^th, Nebraska Kearney finished 12^th, Newman came in 13^th and Lincoln concluded the poll in 14^th.
 
The 2022 softball season begins Tuesday, February 1 with MIAA doubleheaders set to begin on Friday, March 11. To see a complete schedule of all MIAA teams, click here.
 
Below is the complete 2022 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll.
 
2022 MIAA Baseball 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