Jan. 26, 2005
Columbia, Mo. -The Missouri softball team enters the 2005 Big 12 Preseason Poll at number six with 43 points as announced today by the League office. Texas leads the Conference with 77 points as voted on by all participating Big 12 softball coaches.
The Longhorns received six of the possible 10-first place votes, edging out Oklahoma, which tallied four first-place votes in second place with 75 points. Texas A&M, Baylor, Nebraska, Missouri, Oklahoma State, Kansas, Texas Tech and Iowa State round out the top-10 teams of the Big 12 Conference.
The Tigers return nine starters from the 2004 season and open their 2005 campaign with the annual Black and Gold game Saturday, Feb. 5, at 3 p.m., (CT) on University Field. Right-handed ace Erin Kalka, shortstop Heather Kunkel and outfielder Ashley Hays all enter their final year of eligibility looking for the teams first trip to the NCAA Women's College World Series since the 1994 campaign.
Throughout the four month regular season campaign, the Missouri softball team, led by 2003 Big 12 Coach of the Year Ty Singleton, will take on several of the nation's top programs including No. 4 Oklahoma, No. 6 Texas, No. 11 Florida State, No. 15 Alabama, No. 18 Baylor, No. 20 Nebraska and No. 23 Texas A&M. (Rankings awarded Tuesday by ESPN.com/USA Softball). The Tigers received six first place votes in the weekly ESPN.com/USA Softball poll.
Missouri will enter Big 12 Conference action Friday March 25, in a two-game series extending into Saturday March 26, with Oklahoma State in Stillwater, Okla.
2005 Big 12 Conference Softball Preseason Coaches Poll Team (First Place Votes) Points 1. Texas (6) 77 2. 2. Oklahoma (4) 75 3. Texas A&M 61 4. Baylor 58 5. Nebraska 48 6. Missouri 43 7. Oklahoma State 32 8. Kansas 24 9. Texas Tech 20 10. Iowa State 12