Jan. 15, 2010

Columbia, Mo. – The Missouri softball squad was voted the No. 2 team in the 2010 Big 12 Conference Preseason Coaches' poll, as announced today by the league office.  Oklahoma led the conference with 79 points, receiving seven of the 10 available first-place votes.  Missouri collected 75 points and three first-place votes.  Big 12 South school Baylor rounded out the top three with 61 points.

 

This marks the second straight year that the Missouri softball team was predicted to finish second in the conference.  Last season marked Missouri's highest finish in a preseason softball coaches poll.

 

Missouri closed out the 2009 campaign ranked eighth in the nation, the program's best season-ended standing.  In 2010, the Tigers welcome back six starters from last year's Women's College World Series squad, among them, All-Americans Rhea Taylor (Buford, Ga.) and Marla Schweisberger (Raytown, Mo.).

 

The Tigers, led by fourth-year Head Coach Ehren Earleywine, will open the season Saturday, Feb. 13, in a three-game series with Alabama in Tuscaloosa, Ala.  Prior to the season opener, Missouri will host its annual Black and Gold Scrimmage, Saturday, Feb. 6, at 2 p.m. (CT) on University Field.

 

2010 Preseason Coaches Poll

 

Team (first-place votes)     Points

1. Oklahoma (7)                     79

2. Missouri (3)                        75

3. Baylor                                61

4. Nebraska                            49

5. Texas                                 48   

6. Texas A&M                         44

7. Oklahoma State                   41   

8. Iowa State                           23

9. Kansas                               17

10. Texas Tech                       14

 

**Points were awarded nine for first, eight for second, etc. (Coaches were not allowed to vote for their teams.)