Emporia State softball has been picked ninth in the 2024 MIAA Softball Preseason Coaches Poll released today. Central Oklahoma is the preseason pick to win the league with 11 first place votes followed by Rogers State and Missouri Southern. The Lady Hornets finished 33-23 last year and went 13-13 in MIAA play finishing 0-2 in the MIAA Tournament. ESU returns six position players who registered at least 110 at bats last season and three pitchers who started at least eight games a year ago. The returners are headlined by pitcher Gracie Rabe who finished 14-9 in the circle with a 2.85 ERA and infielder Abbey Ward who led the league in stolen bases with 36 last year. ESU opens up the year at the Mankato Dome Tournament on February 2. Radio coverage of Emporia State softball is planned on Mix 104.9 and the schedule will be announced at a later date.
