Four Heart Teams Selected in 2026 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round Field
The NAIA has announced the 48-team field for the 2026 NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round, with four programs from the Heart of America Athletic Conference earning bids to the national tournament. Benedictine College, Central Methodist University, Grand View University, and Missouri Baptist University will represent the Heart in Opening Round action May 11–14 at campus host sites across the country.
Each Opening Round site will feature a double-elimination format, with eight sites hosting five-team brackets and two sites hosting four-team brackets. When the Opening Round concludes, 10 teams will advance to the 2026 NAIA Softball World Series in Columbus, Georgia.
Notably, the Heart Conference had four teams selected into the national tournament field, highlighted by Heart Conference Tournament Champion Central Methodist University earning the conference's automatic berth. Additionally, Central Methodist University was selected as one of the 10 Opening Round host sites and will host its bracket in Fayette, Missouri.
Opening Round games across the nation will stream free on the Urban Edge Network, with all broadcasts produced by the host institutions.
Benedictine College – No. 4 Seed
Williamsburg, Kentucky Opening Round
First Game: No. 4 Benedictine vs. No. 5 Oakland City (Ind.) — May 11, Time TBD
Overall Record: 33-18
NAIA Coaches' Poll: Receiving Votes
Conference Finish: At-Large Bid
Central Methodist University – No. 3 Seed
Fayette, Missouri Opening Round
First Game: No. 3 Central Methodist vs. No. 2 Midland (Neb.) — May 11, Time TBD
Overall Record: 38-15
NAIA Coaches' Poll Ranking: No. 20
Conference Finish: Heart Conference Tournament Champion
Notable: Opening Round Host Site
Grand View University – No. 2 Seed
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma Opening Round
First Game: No. 2 Grand View vs. No. 3 Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) — May 11, Time TBD
Overall Record: 37-16
NAIA Coaches' Poll Ranking: No. 16
Conference Finish: At-Large Bid
Missouri Baptist University – No. 2 Seed
Columbia, Kentucky Opening Round
First Game: No. 2 Missouri Baptist vs. No. 3 Indiana Wesleyan — May 11, Time TBD
Overall Record: 40-12
NAIA Coaches' Poll Ranking: No. 8
Conference Finish: Heart Softball Regular-Season Champion