Kansas City, Mo. – The Missouri Southern softball program was picked to finish third in the MIAA preseason coaches poll as announced by the MIAA today.
 
Last season the Lions went 41-15, 21-5 MIAA and had nine named All-MIAA. This season the Lions will be returning eight position players and three pitchers from last season. In total the Lions have three seniors, nine juniors, five sophomores and four freshmen on the roster this season.
 
Yazmin Vargas was named a first-team All-MIAA selection last season for the second straight season. Vargas appeared in 47 games for the Lions starting in 44 as an outfielder and finished the season with a .406 average, 58 hits, 143 at-bats, 41 runs scored, three doubles, two triples, two home runs, 11 RBIs, 18 walks drawn, stealing 36 bases in 37 attempts (97.3%) with a .497 slugging percentage and .476 on-base percentage for a .973 OPS. Defensively, she recorded 82 putouts, eight assists and helped turn one double play. Among program junior ranks, Vargas finished second in stolen bases and stolen base attempts, fourth in batting average (min 95 ABs), tied for fifth in runs scored,  eighth in hits, ninth in OPS and T-10th in walks.

Adrianna Young was named an All-MIAA gold glove team selection last season after being named All-MIAA honorable mention her first two years. Young appeared in 55 games for the Lions, getting the start in 54 as an outfielder. She finished the season with a .355 average, 49 hits, 138 at-bats, 31 runs, six doubles, two triples, one home run, 15 RBIs, 21 walks drawn, stealing 12 bases with a .449 slugging percentage and .461 on-base percentage for a .910 OPS. Defensively, she recorded 79 putouts and five assists for a 1.000 fielding percentage. Among program junior ranks, Young finished third in on-base percentage (min. 95 ABs, .461) and tied for fourth in walks.
 
Avery Tallman, Katie Gray, Josie Tofpi, Emily Perry and Kara Amos were honorable mention All-MIAA last season as Tofpi and Amos were All-MIAA selections in 2022 as well. Tallman pitched in 35 games with 22 starts for 129.2 innings of work while striking out 67 and opponents hit .249 off her. Gray hit .263 with six doubles, six home runs, one triple, 23 RBIs and slugged .525 while recording 209 putouts and four assists primarily as a first baseman. Current Lions assistant coach Josie Tofpi hit .280 with nine doubles, five home runs, one triple, 34 RBIs and slugged .435 while recording 72 putouts and 112 assists primarily as a shortstop. Perry hit .327 with 11 doubles, eight home runs, 53 hits, 32 RBIs, had nine stolen bases and recorded 50 putouts in the outfield. Amos appeared in 51 games for the Lions playing as a designated player, pitcher and second baseman. At the plate she finished with a .302 average with 38 hits, 18 runs scored, five doubles, six home runs, 30 RBIs, 12 walks drawn for a .484 slugging percentage and while striking out 38 opponents who on average hit .271 off her in 52.1 innings.
 
Regular season and MIAA tournament champions Central Oklahoma was picked first just narrowly ahead of Rogers State, MIAA runner-up Missouri Southern and Washburn followed suit to round out the top four. Missouri Western, Central Missouri, Pittsburg State and Fort Hays State were picked fifth through eighth. The final six teams were Emporia State, Northwest Missouri, Northeastern State, Nebraska Kearney, Newman and Lincoln.
 
The complete poll with first place votes and total points is below.

2024 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma [11] – 167 points
2. Rogers State [2] – 153 points
3. Missouri Southern [1] – 139 points
4. Washburn – 136 points
5. Missouri Western – 124 points
6. Central Missouri – 114 points
7. Pittsburg State – 90 points
8. Fort Hays State – 83 points
9. Emporia State – 75 points
10. Northwest Missouri – 60 points
11. Northeastern State – 49 points
12. Nebraska Kearney – 44 points
13. Newman – 27 points
14. Lincoln – 14 points