EMPORIA STATE SOFTBALL RANKED 8TH IN MIAA PRESEASON POLL

HORNET SOFTBALL PICKED 8TH IN MIAA PRESEASON POLL
 
January 27, 2017-With just one week until the season opener, the Emporia State softball team has been picked eighth spot in the Preseason MIAA Coaches Poll.
 
The senior battery of Eryn Stockman and Jacie Stephens return for their fourth season together.
 
Stockman was 13-13 last season with a 3.30 ERA and is 38-27 in her career. She was an honorable mention All-MIAA performere last season. Stockman went 3-2 with a 1.33 ERA in three starts and two relief appearances for USA Athletes during a the Prague Softball Week Tournament in the Czech Republic this summer.
 
Stephens hit .290 last season and threw out ten of the only 42 runners who attempted to steal on her. 
 
Junior first baseman Danielle Sprinkle hit .333 last season with a team best seven home runs and 43 RBI on her way to honorable mention All-MIAA honors.
 
Junior outfielder Caitlin VanVleck scored a team best 39 runs and hit .310 last season and was named honorable mention All-MIAA.
 
The Hornets have been one of the premier softball programs in the nation over the last 15 years. They have the best record in the MIAA in the 21st century, posting a record of 239-109 (.687) in conference action and 674-300 (.692) overall since 2000. Emporia State finished as the NCAA Division II National Runners-up twice, in 2006 and 2008, qualified for NCAA Regional play 11 straight years from 2004-14 and made 12 NCAA Tournament appearances in the last 21 seasons. The Hornets won the NAIA National Championship in 1983 and 1984 and won the AIAW National Championship in 1980.
 
The Hornets were 21-32 last season, the first losing season for Emporia State since 2002.  A total of 13 players started at least ten games last season for the Hornets, who had no seniors on their roster in 2016.
 
Emporia State will open the season on February 3 at the Southeastern Oklahoma Tournament in Durant, Okla.  The Hornets are scheduled to play 24 games before making their home debut on March 10 against Pittsburg State on Turnbull Field at the Trusler Sports Complex.
 
2017 MIAA Preseason Softball Coaches Poll
1. Central Oklahoma (12)......... 168
2. Missouri Western (2)......... 152
3. Pittsburg State......... 151
4. Northwest Missouri......... 128
5. Central Missouri......... 105
6. Northeastern State......... 101
7. Southwest Baptist......... 90
8. Emporia State......... 86
9. Fort Hays State......... 75
10. Missouri Southern......... 62
11. Washburn......... 55
12. Nebraska-Kearney......... 46
13. Lindenwood......... 40
14. Lincoln......... 13
 
 
###HORNETS###