ST. LOUIS - The Missouri Baptist Spartans received the top spot in the American Midwest Conference Preseason Poll, and they begin their season next week in Dallas, Texas.
The Spartans are coming off of a 33-14 season with a 16-2 AMC record, and a NAIA National Tournament appearance.
Brooklyn Fischer is returning for the Spartans following a terrific season in which she was named AMC Pitcher of the Year and Newcomer of the Year. In the circle, Fischer posted a 1.43 ERA in 122.2 innings with a 15-5 record. On the offensive end, she tallied a .430 batting average, eight home runs, 22 doubles, 47 RBI, 44 runs, and almost a .500 on-base percentage.
The Spartans are also returning Jenna Achs, Alexandria Cafolla, and Allison Leigraf who all joined Fischer on the AMC 1st Team All-Conference list. Miranda Ladson made the AMC 2nd Team All-Conference list, and Abigail Cafolla made the 3rd Team.
Missouri Baptist has a tremendous list of returners from last year's squad that produced 16 of their 17 home runs, their six-best batting averages, and over 200 RBI.
Missouri Baptist's early part of their schedule is packed with great competition as they are set to face the No. 1, 2, 8, 15, and 24 ranked teams in the nation before playing a game at home.
On Thursday, Feb. 6 the Spartans will begin their 2025 campaign taking on Nelson University in Dallas, Texas at noon. Then on Friday, they have a doubleheader against (RV) Mid-America Christian University and Tabor College. They' then round off the Dallas trip with another two-game set the following day against No. 8 Oklahoma City University and No. 2 University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma.
The following week they will also be playing in Texas, as they head to (RV) University of Houston Victoria for a doubleheader against the Vikes. That weekend the Spartans will be in San Antonio, Texas, playing four games with two against Texas A&M-San Antonio and two against No. 1 Our Lady of the Lake University.
Following the trips to Texas, the Spartans will take on No. 15 Midland and (RV) Bellevue in Oklahoma City, Okla., and in early March, Missouri Baptist will head to No. 24 Baker for a doubleheader before finally playing a home game against (RV) St. Francis on Friday, Mar. 14.
The Spartans will look to build off of their success from the 2024 season, and the early part of the 2025 season will be a good test.
Missouri Baptist received 106 votes and seven votes to be ranked first in the AMC, and they are trailed by Williams Baptist in second and Central Baptist in third.
To read the AMC's full release, visit https://amcsportsonline.com/news/2025/1/29/missouri-baptist-softball-claims-top-spot-in-amc-preseason-coaches-poll.aspx
