KANSAS CITY, Mo. – No. 24-ranked Missouri Southern softball was selected to finish third overall in the 2026 MIAA preseason rankings, the league announced Friday.
The Lions totaled 116 points and a first-place vote in the poll voted upon by the league's coaches.
Pittsburg State was tabbed to capture the 2026 MIAA Softball crown, earning 141 points and 10 first-place votes.
MSSU had its best finish on the field since 1998, finishing 2025 with a 39-19 mark and an NCAA Regional Championship appearance.
The Lions finished the campaign ranked 24th in the final NFCA rankings and will start 2026 in that same position, as Southern picked up 41 points in the
2026 NFCA/GoRout Coaches Poll.
MSSU went 16-8 in MIAA play, for the fourth seed in the 2025 league tournament. The Lions picked up a 9-5 win over No. 5 seed Central Missouri before facing top seeded Central Oklahoma in the MIAA Championship Semifinals.
MSSU then was ranked sixth in the Central Region ahead of the NCAA Regional in Magnolia, Arkansas. After dropping an extra-innings contest to No. 3 Augustana to open the Regional, the Lions rattled off back-to-back victories to advance to the Regional Championship game. Southern downed No. 7 Harding, 9-0, in run-rule fashion before capping the day with a 3-0 win over No. 2 Southern Arkansas.
Five MSSU softball players earned MIAA postseason awards.
Kiki Pickens (First Team All-MIAA) was named MIAA Pitcher of the Year, while
Bailey Dillon (First Team All-MIAA) took home Freshman of the Year.
Katie Gray earned All-MIAA honors along with a Gold Glove award while
Kate Thurman and
Kylee Jacks earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention laurels.
Three Lions were named to the All-Region First Team:
Kiki Pickens,
Katie Gray, and
Bailey Dillon. Gray was also named All-American by both the D2CCA (Second Team) and NFCA (Third Team) while Dillon was named a Third Team NFCA All-American.
MSSU opens the 2026 season at the Lone Star Classic Jan. 30 through Feb. 1 in Mansfield, Texas.
Three MIAA programs are ranked nationally heading into 2026 with Central Oklahoma ranked #11, Rogers State at #18 and MSSU at #24.
The 2026 NFCA/Go Rout Division II Top 25 Coaches Poll is voted on by the NFCA Division II Top 25 Poll Committee. The committee consists of 16 NCAA Division II head coaches with two representing each of the NCAA's eight regions.
2026 MIAA SOFTBALL PRESEASON RANKINGS
1. Pittsburg State [10] –
141 points
2. Central Oklahoma [1] –
125 points
3. Missouri Southern [1] – 116 points
4. Rogers State [1] –
111 points
5. Central Missouri –
101 points
6. Washburn –
96 points
7. Missouri Western –
84 points
8. Emporia State –
65 points
9. Northwest Missouri –
49 points
10. Fort Hays State –
45 points
11. Nebraska Kearney –
43 points
12. Northeastern State –
26 points
13. Newman –
12 points
[#] - First Place Votes
Four different teams received a first-place vote in the 2026 MIAA softball preseason coaches poll, led by the Pitt State Gorillas with 10 first-place selections and 141 points. Pittsburg State was the runner-up in the 2025 regular season with an MIAA record of 18-6 and was one of four MIAA teams to advance to the NCAA postseason.
Central Oklahoma, the league's defending regular season and tournament championship was picked second in the coaches poll with 125 points and one first-place selection. The Bronchos owned a league record of 20-4 and 52-11 overall last season. The squad went on to claim the 2025 NCAA Central Region Championship and advanced to the NCAA Division II National Championship in Chattanooga, Tenn.
Missouri Southern was picked third by MIAA head coaches with 116 points and one first-place vote. Rogers State finished fourth in the poll with 111 points and the remaining first-place selection. Central Missouri concluded the coaches' top five picked with 101 points.
Washburn was picked sixth, followed by Missouri Western, Emporia State, Northwest Missouri, Fort Hays State, Nebraska Kearney, Northeastern State, and Newman.
