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Heart of America Athletic Conference
2026 Heart Softball Postseason Awards and All-Conference Lists Announced
April 30, 2026

2026 Heart Softball Postseason Awards and All-Conference Lists Announced

The Heart of America Athletic Conference announced its 2026 Heart Softball Postseason Award winners and All-Conference lists. Each of the award winners were selected by the Heart head coaches.  

2026 Heart Softball Postseason Award Winners

Player of the Year: Allison Leigraf — Missouri Baptist 
Allison Leigraf posted a .364 batting average across 47 games, totaling 51 hits, 55 RBIs, and 45 runs scored in 140 at-bats. The senior from St. Louis, Missouri, added a .750 slugging percentage, showcasing her power at the plate while serving as a consistent offensive force throughout the season. 

Pitcher of the Year: Bailey Selvage — Benedictine 
Bailey Selvage compiled a 1.45 ERA over 154 innings of work, recording 16 wins and 192 strikeouts across 30 appearances and 24 starts. The senior from Lincoln, Nebraska, was a dominant presence in the circle, consistently limiting opposing offenses while ranking among the conference leaders in strikeouts. 

Newcomer of the Year: Elle Nelsen — Grand View 
Elle Nelson made an immediate impact, batting .401 with 63 hits and 47 runs scored across 48 games. She added a .592 slugging percentage while contributing defensively with 85 putouts and 54 assists for a .979 fielding percentage. Nelson's all-around performance established her as one of the conference's top newcomers. 

Freshman of the Year: Emma King — Central Methodist 
Emma King delivered an outstanding debut season, hitting .457 with 63 hits, 46 RBIs, and 24 runs scored over 46 games. She posted a .681 slugging percentage and added 85 defensive chances with a .977 fielding percentage, proving to be a key contributor both at the plate and in the field. 

Coach of the Year: Ted Leigraf — Missouri Baptist 
In his fourth season at the helm, Ted Leigraf guided Missouri Baptist to a 37-10 overall record and a 23-5 mark in conference play. Under his leadership, the Spartans earned a No. 8 national ranking, continuing to establish themselves as one of the top programs in the country. 

2026 Heart Softball All-Conference Lists

First Team All-Conference 
Bailey Selvage, Benedictine – P 
Madeline Waldorf, Grand View – P 
Kaylie Brake, Missouri Baptist – P 
Laila Smith, William Penn – Catcher 
Rhiannon Martin, Benedictine – Catcher 
Allison Leigraf, Missouri Baptist – INF 
Makayla Johnson, Missouri Baptist – INF 
Elizabeth Palumbo, Central Methodist – INF 
Faith Tessman, Park – INF 
Miranda Ladson, Missouri Baptist – INF 
Joely Crider, Central Methodist – OF 
Kaysie Jolley, Central Methodist – OF 
Jacie Dees, Missouri Baptist – OF 
Alexi Sanchez, Missouri Baptist – OF 
Brooklynn Fischer, Missouri Baptist – DH 
Calli Janik, Mount Mercy – Utility 
Taylor Baumhoer, William Woods – At-Large 
Elle Nelsen, Grand View – At-Large 
Emma King, Central Methodist – At-Large 
Ashlee Jackman, Baker – At-Large 
  
Second Team All-Conference 
Mandy Brown, MidAmerica Nazarene – P 
Karlie Barnum, Central Methodist – P 
Molly Breeding, Grand View – P 
Lailah Simmons, MidAmerica Nazarene – Catcher 
Ella Aguiar, William Woods – Catcher 
Amanda Waymire, Benedictine – INF 
Molly Nicas, MidAmerica Nazarene – INF 
Madison Roberts, Central Methodist – INF 
Addie Rhea, William Woods – INF 
Neveah Randall, Grand View – INF 
Ashley Smith, Mount Mercy – OF 
Caedence Risius, Grand View – OF 
Jordan Crooks, Park – OF 
Alena Velilla, Benedictine – OF 
Samantha Vetter, Culver-Stockton – DH 
Brie Manwarren, MidAmerica Nazarene – Utility 
Teal Transburg, Clarke – At-Large 
Hanna Vaught, Park – At-Large 
Tori Smith, William Penn – At-Large 
Alexia Jarrett, Grand View – At-Large 
 
Honorable Mention All-Conference 
Cabria Childers, Culver-Stockton  
Ashley Webb, Mount Mercy  
Camrynn Yardley, Baker  
Casidy Sipek, Peru State  
Ceara Swanson, Grand View  
Megan Forsman, Benedictine  
Breleigh Mengel, William Penn  
Kaylie Holtam, Clarke  
Gabrielle White, Missouri Valley  
Lauren Gaitley, Benedictine  
Lauren Hefel, Clarke  
Senne Imel, MidAmerica Nazarene  
Leah Conlon, William Penn  
Rachel Pederson, Baker  
Gracie Gallagher, Baker  
Laila Gutierrez, William Penn  
Grace Anderson, Grand View  
Makenzie Leake, Graceland  
Aariana Poprocki, MidAmerica Nazarene  
Mckenna Vassar, William Penn  
Aleki Ulu, Culver-Stockton  
Maddie Holly, Central Methodist 
 
Golden Glove Team 
Pitcher – Ashley Webb, Mount Mercy  
Catcher – Ceara Swanson, Grand View  
1st Base – Addie Rhea, William Woods  
2nd Base – Kaitlyn Plassmeyer, William Woods  
3rd Base – Eva Viox, William Penn  
Short Stop – Chloe Kottlowski, Grand View  
Left Field – Jami Mans, Peru State  
Center Field – Kaysie Jolley, Central Methodist 
Right Field – Alohilani Bursey, Missouri Baptist
Utility — Kinlei Boley, Central Methodist 
 
All-Tournament Team
Tournament MVP — Madison Roberts, Central Methodist  
Bailey Selvage, Benedictine 
Marin Frazee, William Penn 
Camrynn Yardley, Baker 
Calli Janik, Mount Mercy 
Taylor Baumhoer, William Woods 
Lexi Lewis, William Woods 
Alexia Jarrett, Grand View 
Madeline Waldorf, Grand View 
Makayla Johnson, Missouri Baptist 
Kaylie Brake, Missouri Baptist 
Alohilani Bursey, Missouri Baptist 
Haley Cotter, Central Methodist 
Maddie Holly, Central Methodist