ST. LOUIS, Mo. –  The reigning American Midwest Conference Champions and sixth-ranked Columbia College Cougars were selected first in the 2022 AMC Preseason Coaches' Poll, followed closely by (24) Central Baptist College.
  
1. Columbia College (70 points)
Coming off a 2021 season that saw them post a perfect 18-0 record in conference play, the Cougars return ten seniors, including All-American Honorable Mention pitcher Lexi Dickerson (18-2, 1.03 ERA), the AMC Co-Player of the Year Makenzie Kasarda (.402 BA, 5 HR, 36 RBI), and reigning AMC Newcomer of the Year Taylor Barnes (.432 BA). Additions include Rock Bridge High School all-time wins leader Ella Schouten, Hickman High School All-District third baseman Athena Wheeler, and McKendree University transfer Emily King. 
 
With an experienced and talented roster, the Cougars will make a solid case to retain their crown as conference champions. 
  
2. Central Baptist College (65 points)
Led by AMC Co-Player of the Year Allison Seats' monster season (17 HRs, 60 RBI), the Mustangs posted an impressive 16-2 record in conference play in 2021 and took second place in the conference tournament after being downed by Columbia in the championship. The departure of Seats, along with 3-time All-AMC selection Katie Goike and second-team all-conference recipient Alyssa Estrada leaves a lot of room for others to step up. 
 
Luckily for CBC, AMC Freshman of the Year Hannah Work returns to anchor the pitching staff after going 15-7 in 2021 with a 3.39 ERA, along with eight other returners from last year's standout squad. They also added transfers Averie Ayers (Northeast Texas CC), Allison Wagle (South Florida State College), Katie Smith (North Central Texas College), and freshman Mollie Johnson out of Texas High School. With a re-tooled roster and plenty of experience, first-year CBC Head Coach Keith Hinson has his sights on getting the Mustangs to the top of the conference. 
  
3. William Woods University (53 points)
Despite finishing fifth in the conference standings last year, the coaches have higher expectations for Tracy Gastineau's squad in 2022, picking them to finish third. The Owls have plenty to be excited about heading into the new campaign, returning leading hitter and first-team All-AMC recipient Mallory Feldewerth (.383 BA), first-team All-AMC pitcher Alexis Hassler (14-9, 2.91 ERA, 77 Ks), and star catcher Ally Mahoney (.325 BA). 
 
With an experienced head coach and a solid core group of players, William Woods is on the up and up heading into the new season. 
  
4. Missouri Baptist University (52 points)
Last year saw a veteran Spartan team finish in third place after going 11-7 in conference play. The downside to a veteran team is dealing with the departures the following year, and Jordan Corby, Allison Pingel, Kaitlyn Chadwick, and Ally Dunaway will leave a few holes to be filled. On the bright side, MBU returns 2-in-1 pitcher Shelby Sievers (2.48 ERA, 3.94 BA, .652 SLG), leadoff specialist Madalyn Bone (.337 BA, 13 SB), and junior starter Haley Tate (4.36 ERA). 
 
Newcomers include sophomore Missouri Valley transfer Molly McPheeters, senior Illinois College transfer Anna Batson, and freshman Natalie Archer out of Parkway South High School. Despite losing several key players, the pieces are in place for the Spartans to surprise the rest of the conference with a run at the top spot in the AMC. 
 
5. Williams Baptist University (44 points)
After finishing 10-7 in the AMC and 20-26 overall last year, the Eagles are looking for a bounce-back season. WBU loses senior all-conference recipients Tess Temple (2.95 ERA) and Maggie Crossno (.343 BA) after their graduation but still have plenty to be optimistic about heading into 2022. 
 
Second team all-conference pitcher Cassidi Doyle (2.86 ERA) returns to lead the pitching staff, while Alyssa Cordell (.381 BA, 27 RBI), Shelby Jones (.400 BA), and Megan Weis (.353 BA) come back to bolster the lineup. Newcomers Anna Besand (Three Rivers CC) and Tori Kierbach (Mount Olive HS) will look to add significant contributions to an Eagles squad looking to get over the .500 mark this spring. 
 
6. Lyon College (38 points)
The Scots, coming off a disappointing finish in the conference last season, come into 2022 without star pitcher Katelynn Platt (7 CG, 68 Ks) and slugging infielder Cheyenne Herrera (.356 BA, 24 RBI). They do, however, bring back first-team All-AMC outfielder Kassidy Robinson (.398 BA, 26 RBI, 24 SB), Riley Shaw (.338 BA), and Celsey Wood (.361 BA). 
 
Lyon looks to rebuild their roster with several talented first-year students. Georgia Holzer earned all-league status twice at Del Oro High School, Mary Duffield was an Arkansas All-State selection at Russellville High School, and Megan Engelhardt set various school records on her way to being an All-State award winner at Pinckneyville Community High School in 2021. Do not sleep on the Scots in 2022. 
  
7. Hannibal-LaGrange University (32 points)
Second team All-Conference second baseman Peyton Bray (.367 BA, 33 RBI) returns to Hannibal, Missouri, this spring to lead the Trojans once again alongside senior pitcher Sicily Johnston (3.66 ERA) and catcher Sidney Miller (.345 BA). First team All-AMC shortstop Michaela Badger and Sydney Newell depart after their senior year in 2021, leaving holes for newcomers to fill. 
 
Dan Hurst brought in junior shortstop Maggie Dooley (St. Charles CC), Addison Miller (John Wood CC) and freshman pitcher Sierra Adkins (Clever HS), who look to make up for the departure of the recent graduates. With plenty to prove and plenty of talent, the Trojans hope to turn some heads in the new campaign. 
  
8. Stephens College (22 points)
First Team All-AMC outfielder Lauren Huskey (.376 BA), junior Lyndsey Hood (.348 BA) and sophomore pitcher Clara Pyle (3.62 ERA) look to lead the Stars in 2022 after the departure of sluggers Taylor Ditzfeld (.407 BA, 20 RBI) and Macy McIntosh (.478 BA). Stephens hopes for a jolt this spring after going 5-13 in AMC play last season.
  
9. University of Health Sciences & Pharmacy (19 points)
Head Coach Michelle Patrico and the Eutectics look to continue building up their program after 2021 saw them finish ninth in the conference standings. Reece Hampton (West Clermont HS), Payton Reinbott (Neelyville HS), and Ann Howard (Millington Central HS) headline the newcomers for UHSP in 2022. 
 
Returning are veterans Bear Wood (.242 BA, .442 SLG), Amber Walsh (.311 BA), and Clarice Tennessen (.311 BA, .462 SLG) while an all-conference recipient departs in Lauren Wright. The Eutectics hope for continued improvement after going 4-14 in the AMC and 1-2 in the conference tournament last season.
  
10. Harris-Stowe State University (10 points)
Despite a tough outing in 2021, the Hornets hung tough throughout and will look for a massive rebound in 2022. Led by Head Coach Larry Young, HSSU will set their sights on moving up the conference standings.


AMC Softball Conference Tournament
The 2022 AMC Softball Tournament spans from May 3-7, 2022, and will be played in Columbia, Missouri. 
 

AMC Softball Preseason Coaches' Poll
Rank	School	Points
1	Columbia	70
2	Central Baptist	65
3	William Woods	53
4	Missouri Baptist	52
5	Williams Baptist	44
6	Lyon	38
7	Hannibal-LaGrange	32
8	Stephens	22
9	Health Sciences & Pharmacy	19
10	Harris-Stowe State	10