PITTSBURG — Iola High’s Mustangs and Fillies were both picked to finish seventh in the 2011 Southeast Kansas League baseball and softball races. The coaches’ preseason polls were released just over a week ago following the inaugural SEK preseason baseball/softball media luncheon with coaches.
It was hosted and conducted by The Ticket: 99.1 ESPN Radio of Pittsburg.
Pittsburg High’s Purple Dragons are the SEK defending champion in baseball and they are the preseason favorite again this season. Independence was second followed by Fort Scott, Columbus and Labette County.
Chanute was picked sixth with the Mustangs in seventh. Parsons was eighth and Coffeyville ninth.
Iola’s baseball team went 7-7 last year in the SEK and was fourth. The Mustangs had their best season in the IHS program’s six-year history last year at 12-8. It was only their second winning season.
Last year’s SEK softball champion was Labette County High’s Grizzlies and they are the preseason favorite in 2011. Fort Scott was picked second followed by Parsons, Columbus, Chanute and Pittsburg.
Iola High’s Fillies were in the seventh spot in the preseason poll. The Fillies were 12-2 in SEK play last year finishing second. They were 16-3 overall a year ago.
Independence was picked to finish eighth and Coffeyville ninth.
The Iola teams open the season at SEK play at Labette County on March 29.
Mustangs and Fillies picked 7th in SEK polls
