(Peru, Neb.) – Grand View (Iowa) has been selected as the favorite to capture the conference title in the 2020 Heart of America Athletic Conference (Heart) Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll.

The Peru State Bobcat softball team was picked 13^th in the preseason poll having finished 12^th last year in the final overall standings. Despite the prediction, the Bobcats are looking to make the conference tournament for the first time in several years.

The Vikings, who made history with a run at the Opening Round last season, collected four first place votes in the poll. At the conclusion of their season, Grand View was ranked second in total doubles (115), fourth in home runs per game (1.138), seventh in total runs scored with (390), and eighth in total runs batted in (357).

Central Methodist (Mo.) was picked as the runner-up and claimed the remaining first place votes. The Eagles return seven All-Conference players from a team that finished third in the Heart last season. Central Methodist will be looking to get back to the NAIA Softball National Championship for the sixth time in the past eight seasons.

Benedictine (Kan.), Mount Mercy (Iowa), and defending conference champion Baker (Kan.) rounded out the top five selections. Conference play is set to being on March 18 with the conference tournament scheduled to begin in late April.

This season, eight teams will qualify for the postseason event with four teams set to represent each division. The division winner with the best winning percentage will receive the number one seed and the other division winner will be seeded at number two. The remaining six times will be seeded by winning percentage, regardless of division.

2020 Heart of America Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1 – Grand View (9)
2 – Central Methodist (4)
3 – Benedictine
4 – Mount Mercy
5 – Baker
6 – MidAmerica Nazarene (Kan.)
7 – Evangel (Mo.)
8 – William Penn (Iowa)
9 – Graceland (Iowa)
10 – Culver-Stockton (Mo.)
11 – Clarke (Iowa)
12 – Missouri Valley
13 – Peru State