HEART conference preseason softball poll
On January 19, the Peru State Softball team was picked to finish 10th along with Graceland University in the Heart Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll.
By News Channel Nebraska
(Peru, Neb.) – On January 19, the Peru State Softball team was picked to finish 10th along with Graceland University in the Heart Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll.
Last season the Bobcats finished with a record of 18-31 and were 12-22 in conference play. 
Grand View University is selected to win the Heart for the 2022 season, they are the defending regular season champion. They finished with a 43-16 record overall and went 30-3 in conference play.
Central Methodist is picked second in the poll they finished 50-9 overall and 34-4 in conference play. Rounding out the top three was last year's Heart of America Athletic Conference Tournament Champion Mount Mercy. The Mustangs were 37-17 and 22-12 in conference play and made it to the NAIA Softball World Series last spring.
The Heart will be holding a 2022 Softball Media Day featuring all 14 teams in the conference. The event will be virtual on Friday January 28. For more information go to Heart's website at www.heartofamericaconference.com.
Conference play is set to begin on Saturday March 12. The conference tournament is set to run Wednesday May 4 through Saturday May 7.
The Bobcats' season begins on Feb. 20 as they go on the road for a double-header against the Bethel College Threshers in Newton, Kan. Peru State's first Heart action will be on Saturday, March 12, as they travel to Dubuque, Iowa, to face Clarke.
2022 Heart Softball Coaches' Preseason Poll
1. Grand View
2. Central Methodist
3. Mount Mercy
4. Baker
5. Benedictine
6. Evangel
7. MidAmerica Nazarene
8. William Penn
9. Culver-Stockton
10. Peru State
10. Graceland
12. Missouri Valley
13. Clarke
14. Park