OKLAHOMA CITY – After announcing the MACU Team of the Decade for all of its sports over the last eight weeks, the Mid-America Christian University Athletic Department is proud to wrap-up its honors lists with the MACU Softball Team of the Decade.
After carefully evaluating each player's personal, statistical and team accomplishments, the MACU athletic administration tasked with compiling the list selected 10 standouts to the All-Decade Team, with the inclusion of a "Player of the Decade."
For a player to be eligible for the Team of the Decade list, he or she must have graduated from Mid-America Christian with at least a Bachelor's Degree between 2010-2019 and competed for at least one season between the 2009-10 and 2018-19 academic years. Any student-athletes that competed during the last decade that graduated in 2020 or later will be eligible for the 2020-2029 Team of the Decade list.
Listed below are the 10 student-athletes that were selected to the All-Decade Team, as well as 11 honorable mention players who were strongly considered or did not entirely meet the required criteria.
MACU Team of the Decade | Softball
Tiphani Napier (PLAYER OF THE DECADE)
Position: Outfielder
Years Competed: 2016-17 (two seasons)
One of the best all-around hitters in the history of the MACU Softball program, Tiphani Napier turned in the team's best hitting season in the NAIA era. During the 2017 campaign, the Ardmore, Oklahoma native batted 64-for-155 (.413) to set the highest batting average in a single season since joining the NAIA in 2008. The 5-9 righty notched the program's second-highest on-base percentage (.484) that year while slugging .632 for the year. Her 64 hits in 2017 was the fourth-most in a single season, 18 of which went for doubles for the third-highest mark while her 48 RBIs set the fourth-highest mark in the MACU record books. Napier ended her two-year MACU career as one of only two players to notch an above .500 slugging percentage (.508) while also turning in the program's third-best on-base percentage (.416), fifth-best batting average (.349), sixth-most doubles (26) and seventh-most RBIs (76). Napier was also a key piece of the 2016 MACU Softball team that went 30-26 and advanced to the program's first ever NCCAA World Series. In the second game of a doubleheader against Central Christian (Kan.) on Apr. 15, 2016, Napier broke the program's single game RBIs record, driving in seven in the 10-1 victory. The following season, Napier once again found the record books, tying her own RBI record in a 20-1 win over Central Christian on Feb. 18. A few weeks later, Napier matched Christian Reyes' single game hits record by tallying five against Bethany (Kan.) on Mar. 4. In that same game, Napier notched six RBIs to tie the third-best mark in the MACU record book and become the only player in program history to record six or more RBIs in at least three games. Following the 2017 season, Napier became the first player since moving up to the Division I level to be named an NCCAA All-American, garnering Second Team honors on-top of being selected as an All-SAC First Team and an NAIA Scholar-Athlete.
"I'm honored to be recognized for a game I absolutely loved to play," said Napier. "I thoroughly enjoyed the two years I spent playing softball at MACU. Big thank you to Coach Wakefield and Mickey for bringing me in my junior year and believing in me, allowing me to play every day while gaining an education. I owe everything I accomplished in my career to my dad and my fellow teammates, I would not have been the player I was without them. MACU was a great ride and I am blessed to say I was an Evangel. MACU proud!"
"Tiphani had two great years at MACU," said MACU Head Coach Robert Wakefield. "She was a team leader on and off the field. During her senior year, we needed a center fielder and Tiphani said I can play and help our team. Her success that year led to her being an NCCAA All-American. I'd like to congratulate Tiphani on being named the MACU Player of the Decade."
Jackie Hilterbran
Position: Outfielder, Pitcher
Years Competed: 2012-15 (four seasons)
A four-year competitor for the MACU softball program, Jackie Hilterbran was one of the most consistent hitters to ever compete for the Evangels. The 5-7 outfielder and pitcher is the only player in program history to record three of the team's top 10 individual single season batting average records while her 65 hits recorded in 2014 was the program record until it was eclipsed by Hannah Salmon in 2018. The Southmoore High School grad also scored 43 runs during the 2014 campaign for the third-best mark during the NAIA era while her 14 stolen bases that year ranks as the fifth-best mark in the MACU record books. Hilterbran is the only player in program history ever record more than 200 career hits (211) and set the program records for doubles (39), runs (134) and total bases (265). Hilterbran also registered the program's third-most RBIs (83) and stolen bases (38) as well as the fourth-highest batting average (.358). In the circle, Hilterbran had the third-most appearances of any pitcher in the last 12 years, seeing action in 72 games. During the 2014 season, Hilterbran matched the fourth-best single game hit marks twice, going 4-for-4 against Texas Wesleyan on Apr. 5 and followed it up 10 days later with another 4-for-4 performance, tying a career-high three runs in an 18-1 victory over Ecclesia (Ark.). The following season in a 9-5 win at St. Gregory's (Okla.) on Apr. 9, Hilterbran tied her own records once again by slashing 4-for-4 from the plate with three runs. During her freshman season, Hilterbran recorded her first of six career three-run games in a 13-7 victory over Oklahoma Baptist. On Mar. 6, 2015, Hilterbran recorded a career-best five RBIs in the second game of a doubleheader against Dakota State (S.D.). At the conclusion of her career, Hilterbran became the first player since the team joined the Sooner Athletic Conference to be named a three-time All-SAC honoree, collecting Second Team honors in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
Macie Crites
Position: Pitcher
Years Competed: 2015-16 (two seasons)
Macie Crites was one of the best to ever step into the circle for the MACU softball program. The righty from Caney, Oklahoma ended her two-year career with the Evangels' fourth-lowest career ERA (2.87) and fourth-most wins (21) while striking out the sixth-most batters (145). Her best season came in 2016, when she allowed only a 2.56 ERA, the fifth-lowest single season mark in the NAIA era while limiting opponents to just a .220 batting average for the third-lowest mark to help guide the Evangels to their first ever NCCAA World Series appearance. Crites picked up 11 wins from the circle in her 28 appearances, which included three shutouts. In her second start of the 2016 season, Crites tossed five shutout innings in an 11-0 win over Tabor (Kan.) to record her first ever complete game shutout. Later in the season in a 7-0 victory over Crowley's Ridge (Ark.) on Mar. 26, Crites struck out a career-high nine batters over five innings of work. Five days later, Crites recorded a complete game shutout, allowing only one hit and one walk in an 8-0 victory over Southwestern (Kan.). On Apr. 5, Crites helped will her team to a 2-0 victory over Southwestern Christian (Okla.), allowing only one hit and struck out six for her third career shutout. Crites was selected as an All-SAC pitcher in both her seasons with MACU, earning First Team honors in 2015 and Second Team accolades in 2016.
Kenna McCoy
Position: Second Baseman
Years Competed: 2013-15 (three seasons)
A stellar second baseman for three seasons with the MACU softball program, Kenna McCoy was a dynamic defender and hitter in the Evangels lineup. The Warner, Oklahoma native's best season came in 2014 when she notched the fifth-most hits in a single season with 62 while her career-high 36 runs is the ninth-most scored in the NAIA era. Hitting .340 or better in every single season with the team, McCoy ended her Evangels career with a .345 average, the sixth-highest mark in the NAIA era record book while also turning in the second-most triples (6), third-most hits (151), the fifth-most runs (85), the sixth-most total bases (182) and the seventh best on-base percentage (.385) while defensively her 163 assists is the seventh-best mark among all infielders. McCoy's biggest day from the plate came in just her third game with the Evangels. In an Apr. 13, 2013 matchup with Ecclesia (Ark.), as she tied the third-most hits in a single game with four after going 4-for-4 with a career-high three RBIs and three runs scored in a 16-3 win. McCoy played a pivotal role during MACU's Sooner Athletic Conference Tournament run in 2014. After upsetting No. 19 Oklahoma Baptist in the first game, McCoy pieced together her third four-hit game of her career by going 4-for-6 with a run in the Evangels' 8-5 victory over the Drovers. McCoy was selected to the All-SAC Team twice during her tenure with the Evangels, collecting Second Team honors in 2013 before being named to the First Team in 2015.
Hanna Harris
Position: Catcher
Years Competed: 2017-19 (three seasons)
One of the best defensive catchers and run producers in program history, Hanna Harris was no stranger to the MACU record books during her three seasons with the Evangels. Serving as the starting catcher in 2018 and 2019, Harris produced two of the best defensive seasons ever at MACU. She is the only player in program history to not commit a single error in at least 100 chances, recording a 1.000 fielding percentage within 145 chances during the 2018 season. She followed it up with nearly an equally great 2019, committing only one error in 137 chances for a .993 fielding percentage, the third-best mark in the MACU NAIA Era record book. Overall in her three seasons with the team, Harris made just four miscues, the fewest of any player to record at least 250 outs while her .990 fielding percentage ranks second in the records. The 5-5 righty from Bridge Creek, Oklahoma was a big time producer with the bat in her hands as well, as her 84 career RBIs ranks second in the NAIA era record book and she set the third-best career marks in batting average (.363), doubles (33) and total bases (208) while rounding out her tenure with the fifth-most hits (149). During the 2019 campaign, Harris' 19 doubles put her second in the season records while her 35 RBIs in 2018 is the ninth-highest single year mark. In her three seasons with MACU, Harris recorded six three-hit games, the first coming against McPherson (Kan.) on Mar. 17, 2017. In an 8-0 shutout against Ecclesia (Ark.) on Apr. 16, 2018, Harris went 2-for-4 from the plate and produced a career-high five RBIs, four of which coming off a first-inning grand slam. Harris had a big day from the plate in one of her last games with MACU, going 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run scored in the Evangels' 9-1 win over Ecclesia in the NCCAA Central Regional on May 7, 2019. Harris was selected as an All-SAC Second Team recipient in all three years with the program.
Caitlyn Ulmer
Position: Pitcher
Years Competed: 2009-10 (two seasons)
The best strikeout pitcher to compete in the NAIA era, Caitlyn Ulmer holds nearly every strikeout record at Mid-America Christian. Her 135 strikeouts recorded during the 2009 season still holds up as the single season record even 11 years later while being one of only two players to eclipse 250 career strikeouts (251), finishing only behind Kelcie Wolf's 291. Of the eight times a MACU pitcher reached at least 10 strikeouts in a game, the 5-9 hurler from Pottsboro, Texas recorded half of those outings, including the two highest strikeout marks. In an 8-0 victory over Central Christian (Kan.) on Feb. 14, 2009, Ulmer struck out 12 batters on just three hits and a walk over a complete five-inning outing. Ulmer later eclipsed her own record with 14 while throwing all eight innings in a 5-4 walk-off win against Southwestern (Kan.) on Apr. 23. Ulmer has thrown more complete games than any other pitcher to compete at MACU, completing 40 of the 59 games she appeared in while also recording five shutouts. Of all of MACU's pitchers, Ulmer threw the fourth-most innings (316) while notching the sixth-most wins (19) and the seventh-best ERA (3.92).
Ashley Sanford
Position: First Baseman, Pitcher
Years Competed: 2014-15 (two seasons)
One of the best power-hitting and fielding first basemen to ever compete for Mid-America Christian, Sanford's 2014 season was one for the ages. The 5-11 slugger from Dale, Oklahoma bashed 12 home runs and drove in 60, both setting single season program records while her 109 total bases also sits atop of the MACU record books. Sanford finished the big year with a .645 slugging percentage, the third-highest by any MACU player during the NAIA era while also scoring the third-most runs (43). In the field, Sanford notched 258 putouts for the fifth-most in a single season while her .991 fielding percentage is the sixth-highest of any position player in any season. On top of being a top-tier first baseman, Sanford was also one of the best relief pitchers to ever compete in an Evangels uniform. During the 2014 campaign, Sanford saw action in 23 games and tossed 41.1 innings of relief while finishing with a 5-0 record. With a 3.39 ERA, Sanford gave up the fewest earned runs of any pitcher to throw at least 30 innings, allowing just 20 to cross home plate. Sanford's best day from the plate came in an 8-3 win against Bacone (Okla.) on Mar. 25, 2014, as she went 4-for-4 with a career-best six RBIs, tying the program record until was topped by Tiphani Napier two years later. Later in the season, Sanford found herself atop of the MACU record books in an Apr. 22, 2014 matchup with NCAA Division II Southwestern Oklahoma when she drew four walks, which still holds as the most in a single game by any Evangels player. In MACU's NCCAA Central Region opening 9-0 win against Crowley's Ridge (Ark.), Sanford went 2-for-3 and tied the single game record with a pair of homers to go with four RBIs in the victory. At the end of the regular season, Sanford was tabbed as an All-SAC Second Team honoree as well as named to the NCCAA All-Region Team.
Larie Amos
Position: Pitcher, First Baseman
Years Competed: 2018-19 (two seasons)
Despite suffering an injury that shortened her senior season, Larie Amos was an impactful player both in the circle and with the bat in her hand. As a pitcher, saw action in 22 games and made 17 starts, completing six of those games with three shutout victories. The Oklahoma City native finished with a 10-6 record in the circle and notched the second-lowest ERA in program history (2.67), sitting only behind two-time NCCAA All-American Regan Martin (2.35) in the MACU record books. Amos has allowed the fewest hits (73) and earned runs (31) of any pitcher throw 60 or more innings while defensively her .970 fielding percentage is the seventh-lowest at MACU. During the 2018 season, Amos saw action in 18 games and made 13 starts, closing out the year with a 9-6 record. The righty hurler set multiple program season NAIA era top five marks during the campaign, which included the second-lowest opponent batting average (.205), the second-fewest hits per 30+ innings pitched (56, 71.1 IP), the second-fewest earned run per 30+ IP (22, 71.1 IP), third-lowest ERA (2.16) and the fourth-most shutouts (3). In her first start with the Evangels, Amos twirled a gem by tossing a no-hitter and allowed only three baserunners on a walk and two hit batters to go with three strikeouts in the 2-0 victory over Southwestern (Kan.) on Feb. 20. On Mar. 16, Amos pitched another gem by striking out a career-high seven batters in five innings in getting a two-hit shutout 8-0 win over Ecclesia (Ark.). The last complete game shutout in Amos' career came on Apr. 17 against Bacone (Okla.), tossing a complete seven-innings in a 6-0 victory over the Warriors. Amos' impact was felt just as much as when she played first base for the Evangels. During that same 2018 campaign, Amos recorded the program's third-highest batting average (.406), fifth-best on-base percentage (.453), to go along with the team's eighth-highest slugging percentage (.609) and hit the eighth-most doubles (15). At the end of the season, Amos was tabbed as an All-SAC First Team honoree, the fourth First Teamer since joining the league in 2008 and sixth by the end of the decade. Even in her shortened senior season, Amos made her way into the MACU record books once again. On Mar. 7, 2019, Amos ripped a pair of home runs, going 2-for-3 with four RBIs to lead the Evangels to an 11-2 victory. After the 2019 campaign, Amos was tabbed with the NCCAA's Game Plan 4 Life honor, becoming only the second Evangel to ever receive the distinction.
Tiffany Holt
Position: Shortstop
Years Competed: 2013-16 (four seasons)
A four-year starter at shortstop, Tiffany Holt started more games in the middle infield than any other player in the history of the program. The lefty batter from Oklahoma City wrapped up her illustrious Evangels career with the program's second-most hits (165), doubles (37) and total bases (210), fifth-most RBIs (80), sixth-highest on-base percentage (.399), eighth-most runs (71) as well as the ninth-best batting average (.318). On defense, Holt still holds the program record for most assists (238) and turned the eighth-most double plays (10) while graduating with a .922 fielding percentage, the third-highest of any player in her position. Holt saved the best for last for her senior season, slashing a career-best .356 while her .463 on-base percentage that year was the third-highest ever recorded at MACU. Holt's patience from the plate paid off during that season as she drew 28 walks, which also ranks as the third-most in a single year. Holt made her mark in the record books twice on Mar. 7, 2015, as she tied the team record with two home runs in a 15-0 victory over Graceland (Iowa). Her six RBIs also matched a program record until it was topped the following year by Tiphani Napier. Holt found herself in the single game record book once again in 2016 when she drew three walks against Tabor (Kan.) on Feb. 19, 2016, the second-most walks drawn by a MACU player during the NAIA era. Holt was tabbed as an All-SAC Second Team honoree following her senior season.
Morgan Wardlow
Position: Pitcher
Years Competed: 2016-17 (two seasons)
A strong two-year starter for the Evangels, Morgan Wardlow was an out-getter for the Evangels during her tenure with the program. The Norman, Oklahoma product ended the decade by holding multiple spots in the program's NAIA era career record book, including: the second-most shutouts (6), the fifth-lowest ERA (3.52), the fifth-most strikeouts (149), games started (47), innings pitched (294.2), wins (20) and complete games (27) as well as pitched the sixth-most games (56). The righty hurler played a crucial role in the Evangels' first ever run to the NCCAA World Series in 2016. Wardlow turned in a 3.44 ERA over 28 games and 22 starts, including tossing three complete game shutouts. She turned in back-to-back phenomenal performances in the Friends (Kan.) Tournament on Mar. 4-5. In the opening day game against Bethel (Kan.), Wardlow tossed seven complete innings, allowing only five hits and two walks for her first complete game shutout in the 4-0 win. She was even better the following day against Ottawa (Kan.), giving up only two hits and struck out four in another complete seven-inning 4-0 victory, garnering her SAC Pitcher of the Week accolades. Wardlow needed to go deep once again in a 2-0 win over Southwestern (Kan.) on Mar. 31, allowing only three hits over seven innings to help the Evangels hold off the Moundbuilders. Even though wins were harder to come by in her senior year, she was statistically just as solid, allowing only a 3.58 ERA in 154.1 innings pitched over 28 games, 25 of which were started. Wardlow wrapped up her MACU career as an All-SAC Second Team honoree in 2016 while also garnering NAIA and NCCAA Scholar-Athlete accolades in 2017.
Honorable Mention
(Either didn't meet all of the requirements or were strongly considered through the nomination process)
Ashley Newman (2010-12)
Kelcie Wolf (2011-15)
Marki Dehtloff (2015-16)
Natalie Bissell (2014-15)
Hannah Lynch (2014-15)*
Cassidy Hart (2015-16)
Ashlee Dodson (2010-12)
Carson Osborne (2013-16)
Erica Love (2012-13)*
Mykah Smith (2016-17)*
Amber Tinney (2012-14)*
*-did not meet criteria
