OKLAHOMA CITY – Despite having its 2020 campaign shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mid-America Christian softball team will be gunning for its seventh winning season in the last eight years as the Evangels will be opening the campaign with a rescheduled doubleheader at home against Crowley's Ridge (Ark.) on Saturday with the first pitch starting at noon.
Last year, the Evangels wrapped up the season on Mar. 12, 2020 with the NAIA canceling all spring sports as MACU closed out with a 10-8 overall record and a 3-3 mark in Sooner Athletic Conference play.
Mid-America Christian was selected to finish third in the SAC Preseason Poll that was released last month after receiving 48 votes.
Even though MACU graduated eight experienced seniors from last year's squad, the Evangels are returning some of their top bats, including All-SAC First Team honoree and SAC Freshman of the Year Olivia Roberts. The 5-10 sophomore first baseman from Mustang, Oklahoma swatted a team-high .429 batting average and .476 on-base percentage while finishing second on the team in slugging percentage (.554), runs-batted-in (14) and doubles (4) while also blasting one of MACU's three home runs on the season.
Faith Hollingsworth, an All-SAC Second Team selection last season also makes her return. The senior outfielder led the team with a .585 slugging percentage while ripping three doubles, a triple and a homer for 13 RBIs. The Burkburnett, Texas product finished second on the squad in batting average (.385) and third in on-base percentage (.458).
Senior infielder Kylie Stubbs and catcher Camenda Osborn will also look to provide some experience for the Evangels. Stubbs batted .323 with 10 runs and six RBIs a season ago while Osborn swung for a .333 average for seven RBIs and four runs.
An area the Evangels will be looking to excel this season is in the pitching staff. MACU will be looking for senior Regan Martin to return to 2019 form as the two-time NCCAA All-American missed significant action in 2020 due to an injury.
Even in limited action, Martin appeared in nine games and made four starts, posting a 2.15 ERA with 19 strikeouts and only four walks in 29.1 innings of work. Through her first three seasons with the program, the Sheridan, Arkansas native has posted a 31-21 record and a 2.35 ERA with 245 strikeouts to just 94 walks.
Another pitcher the Evangels expect to make a big impact is senior Katie Long. The 5-5 hurler from Norman, Oklahoma was the ace of Oklahoma Baptist last season, finishing the COVID-19 shortened season with a 6-3 record and a 3.29 ERA as she notched 67 strikeouts to only 28 walks over 78.2 innings of work while competing in one of the strongest softball conferences at the NCAA Division II level.
The Evangels also return some quality depth in the pen with Adrienne Phillips. The junior from Little Axe, Oklahoma has posted a 7-2 record in 26 appearances, recording a 2.68 ERA in her two-year MACU career. Phillips is a pitcher that is known for her control of the strike zone, as she's walked only six of the 236 batters she's faced in her collegiate career.
Mid-America Christian will be at home for its first 12 games of the season with six consecutive doubleheaders being played at Jack Allen Field in the month of February. After Crowley's Ridge, MACU will play Southwestern (Kan.), Sterling (Kan.), Kansas Wesleyan and Oklahoma Wesleyan before opening Sooner Athletic Conference play against No. 4 Oklahoma City on Feb. 26 to wrap up the home stand. The Evangels will be allowing fans to attend home games this season, but will require spectators to wear masks, socially distance and pass a health screening at the gate.
