By FHSU SPORTS INFORMATION
KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Fort Hays State Softball was picked 8th in the MIAA Preseason Coaches Poll, released on Friday (Jan. 29). The last time the Tigers completed a full MIAA schedule was in 2019, when they finished ninth, as last season was cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Tigers begin their 2021 season next week in Texas and return several veterans that saw their careers extended with the NCAA granting an extra year of eligibility due to the shortened 2020 season.
Central Oklahoma and Rogers State were close at the top of the poll, UCO receiving the No. 1 slot and RSU the No. 2. Rogers State had more first-place votes (7) and enters the year as the only MIAA team in the NFCA Preseason Top 25 (No. 18). Central Oklahoma received six first-place votes in the MIAA poll, but topped Rogers State in overall voting by five points (159 to 154). UCO received votes in the NFCA Preseason Top 25 Poll. Missouri Western was the only other school to receive a first-place vote in the MIAA preseason poll.
Central Missouri, Washburn, Emporia State, and Northeastern State separate FHSU from the top three on the list. FHSU received 77 points overall in the poll.
Fort Hays State has four seniors returning that will play a fifth year of their college career thanks to the extension of eligibility. The four seniors have been big contributors for the Tigers, which includes pitchers Michaelanne Nelson and Hailey Chapman, shortstop Lily Sale, and second baseman Katie Adler. Chapman enters her 5th year in the circle for the Tigers with 597 innings of experience and 492 strikeouts, while Nelson had a big year brewing in the circle last year with a 1.81 ERA and 86 strikeouts in 81 innings of work, which included an eight-inning no-hitter. Sale gave the Tigers strong defensive presence in the middle of the diamond once again in 2020, while hitting .282. Adler led the team in hits (30) and batting average (.370) in her 26 contests played before the abrupt halt to the season.
Several of the juniors will be playing their fourth year of competition for the Tigers, which includes Grace Philop, Terran Caldwell, Sara Breckbill, and Megan Jamison. Philop, Caldwell, and Breckbill have been regulars in the Tiger lineup, while Jamison gave the Tigers added punch in the pitching circle last year with a 2.02 ERA in six appearances, including a complete-game shutout.
The Tigers have 11 players returning that saw action offensively last year, so there will be plenty of experience for head coach Adrian Pilkington, now in her seventh season, to utilize. Only four of the 18 players on the roster are newcomers this year, which includes a pair of freshmen and a pair of transfers.
Fort Hays State has three weekend tournaments and a non-conference road doubleheader sandwiched in on its schedule before jumping into MIAA play. Tournament action is scheduled to take place in Lubbock, Oklahoma City, and Topeka. As it stands right now, FHSU will not play on its home field until April as the first 22 games scheduled are away from Hays. The Tigers were 11-11 away from Hays last year, including an 11-8 record in neutral site games.
2021 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll.
1. Central Oklahoma (6) – 159 points
2. Rogers State (7) – 154 points
3. Missouri Western (1) – 145 points
4. Central Missouri – 138 points
5. Washburn – 115 points
6. Emporia State – 102 points
7. Northeastern State – 101 points
8. Fort Hays State – 77 points
9. Pittsburg State – 69 points
10. Nebraska-Kearney – 64 points
11. Missouri Southern – 62 points
12. Northwest Missouri – 48 points
13. Newman – 25 points
14. Lincoln – 15 points