Heart Softball Teams Compete in NAIA Opening Round
Four Heart of America Athletic Conference softball programs competed in the opening round of the 2026 NAIA Softball National Championship, as Benedictine College, Central Methodist University, Grand View University, and Missouri Baptist University represented the conference across four different host sites.
Benedictine – Williamsburg Bracket
No. 4 seed Benedictine College opened postseason play with a 9-1 six-inning victory over Oakland City (Ind.) before falling to top-seeded Keiser University, 4-3 in eight innings.
The Ravens concluded their tournament run with a 7-3 loss to Saint Xavier University and finished the 2026 season with a 34-20 overall record.
Central Methodist – Fayette Bracket
No. 3 seed Central Methodist University battled through the elimination bracket after a narrow 5-4 opening loss to Midland (Neb.).
The Eagles responded with back-to-back wins, defeating IU Southeast (Ind.) 8-7 before earning an 8-0 five-inning victory over Midland to advance to the bracket championship game. Central Methodist's season came to a close with a 1-0 loss to top-seeded Madonna University.
CMU wrapped up the year with a 40-17 overall record.
Grand View – Oklahoma City Bracket
No. 2 seed Grand View University opened the tournament with a 2-1 victory over Blue Mountain Christian (Miss.) before falling to British Columbia, 5-3, in the winner's bracket.
Facing elimination, the Vikings matched up with host and top-seeded Oklahoma City University, where their postseason run ended with an 8-2 defeat.
Grand View completed the season with a 38-18 overall record.
Missouri Baptist – Columbia Bracket
No. 2 seed Missouri Baptist University dropped a 6-4 nine-inning contest to Indiana Wesleyan in its tournament opener before falling to Tennessee Southern, 8-3, in an elimination game.
The Spartans concluded the 2026 campaign with a 40-14 overall record.