OKLAHOMA CITY – Coming off one of the best seasons in program history, the Mid-America Christian softball team was selected to finish third in the Sooner Athletic Conference Preseason Poll released by the conference office on Tuesday.

Voted upon by the SAC's nine head coaches, the Evangels received 46 votes, including: one second place vote, five third place votes, one fourth place vote and one fifth place vote.

Science & Arts was selected as the league favorite with 64 votes and eight first place votes while Oklahoma City placed second with 57 votes and one first place vote.

Texas Wesleyan finished right behind MACU for fourth with 42 votes while Southwestern Assemblies of God rounded out the top five with 36 votes.

Under Head Coach Robert Wakefield, Mid-America Christian is coming off its best ever finish in Sooner Athletic Conference play, finishing 2019 with a 32-19 overall record and a third place finish in the SAC with a 22-14 league mark.

The Evangels return their primary pitching core, led by junior Regan Martin. The two-time NCCAA All-American appeared in 28 games and made 23 starts in the circle last season, accumulating a 16-8 record on a 2.07 ERA with 111 strikeouts and just 40 walks in 145.2 innings of work.

Also returning to the circle is senior McKenzie Smith, who notched an 11-5 record and a 2.61 ERA in 107.1 innings of action during her junior campaign.

MACU will also bring back some strong leadership from the plate in senior catcher and outfielder Hannah Salmon. The Oklahoma City product batted .346 while driving in a team-best 31 RBIs while finishing second on the team with 34 runs scored on a .415 on-base percentage a year ago.

Mid-America Christian is set to open the regular season on Saturday, Feb. 15 as the Evangels host Crowley's Ridge College for a doubleheader with the first game slated for a noon first pitch at Jack Allen Field.

2020 Sooner Athletic Conference

Preseason Softball Poll