The Emporia State softball team is off to a strong start in MIAA play, but the Hornets cannot seem to make up any ground in the South Central Regional rankings.
After going 5-1 last week, Emporia State remained No. 9 in the latest regional rankings.
Emporia State (24-9, 5-1 MIAA) went 5-1 last week with its only loss coming to Nebraska-Omaha, the fourth-ranked team in the region. The Hornets split with the Mavs, who are the top-ranked MIAA team but only in fourth place in the conference standings.
Missouri Western and Central Missouri are both undefeated in the conference and came in at fifth and seventh, respectively. Angelo State is ranked first, followed by Southeastern Oklahoma State and Abilene Christian. Midwestern State comes in at No. 6, West Texas A&M is ranked eighth and Cameron wraps up the top 10.
The regional rankings are used to determine the participants in the NCAA Tournament. The top eight teams, including the automatic qualifiers from the MIAA, Lone Star and Heartland Conferences, will advance to one of two NCAA South Central Regional Tournaments May 8-10 with the two winners meeting in a Super Regional on May 15-16.
The Hornets are 2-3 against teams ranked ahead of them in this week’s rankings. No. 8 West Texas A&M and No. 7 Central Missouri are a combined 2-11 against the other ranked teams in the region.
Emporia State plays on Friday at Missouri Southern and then is at Pittsburg State on Saturday.