For the first time in Conference history, Missouri was chosen by the league's head coaches as the frontrunner for the Big 12 softball title in 2012. MU breaks Oklahoma's three-year streak as the preseason conference favorite.
The Tigers (59 points) received three first-place votes. Oklahoma earned the most first-place tallies with four, while Texas collected one nod.
Oklahoma notched 56 points, coming in second behind the Tigers. Texas (50) edged out Baylor (45) for third place. Texas A&M (37) landed in fifth while Oklahoma State (32) and Texas Tech (22) finished in sixth and seventh, respectively. Kansas (13) and Iowa State (10) rounded out this year's preseason poll.
Missouri, the reigning Big 12 regular season champions, welcomes back 11 letterwinners from 2011's WCWS squad. Among the 11 returning players are four All-Big 12 honorees, including 2011 Big 12 Pitcher of the Year Chelsea Thomas. The Tigers posted a 53-10 overall record and went 15-3 in Conference play last season. MU led the league in doubles (84), team pitching (1.26), opponent batting average (.166) and wins (46). Mizzou finished the 2011 campaign ranked sixth in the USA Today/NFCA Division I Top 25, the highest final ranking in program history.
Coming off their sixth WCWS appearance and first since 2004, the Sooners return 12 letterwinners. including All-Big 12 honoree Keilani Ricketts. The junior broke the school season record for strikeouts. Ricketts also retired an OU single-game record 19 batters in the Sooners' regional win over Iona. Head coach Patty Gasso, a 2012 NFCA Hall of Fame inductee, earned her 800th win during the 2011 campaign.
The Big 12 is coming off its most successful softball season after
making up half of the eight-team field at the Women's College World
Series. Baylor, Missouri, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State earned trips to
Oklahoma City.
The softball season opens Thursday, Feb. 9, with two Big 12 squads beginning non-conference action. Five league teams start play on Friday, Feb. 10.
2012 PRESEASON COACHES POLL
| Team (first-place votes) |
Points |
| 1. Missouri (3) |
59 |
| 2. Oklahoma (4) |
56 |
| 3. Texas (1) |
50 |
| 4. Baylor |
45 |
| 5. Texas A&M |
37 |
| 6. Oklahoma State |
32 |
| 7. Texas Tech |
22 |
| 8. Kansas |
13 |
| 9. Iowa State |
10 |
**Points are awarded eight for first, seven for second, etc. Coaches are not allowed to vote for their teams.