KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) announced its 2024 Championship field and for the first time in program history, the MACU Softball will be competing in the prestigious national tournament.
The Evangels were selected to compete in the Fayette, Missouri bracket for the NAIA Softball Opening Round and will officially open the tournament against No. 5 seed Dickinson State (N.D.) on Monday, May 13.
Under first year head coach Jim Gasso, the Evangels put together one of its most successful regular seasons in program history as MACU enters the championship field with a 36-15 overall record and finished with the team's best ever record in Sooner Athletic Conference play at 27-9 (.750).
After suffering 9-1 loss to No. 2 Oklahoma City on Mar. 11 to fall to 10-9 on the season, MACU put together an incredible second half of the campaign, winning 16 of its next 21 games, including picking up a pair of strong 3-2, 2-0 victories over No. 4 Science & Arts on Mar. 22 and 23 in Chickasha, Oklahoma.
The Evangels had a strong showing the SAC Tournament as well, making it through to the semifinals with a pair of victories over Texas Wesleyan, including a walk-off 5-4 win in 11 innings as well as a 5-0 shutout victory before losing to the eventual SAC Champion Science & Arts in the semi.
As a result of their successful campaign, MACU had a record seven players named to the All-Sooner Athletic Conference Team with one honorable mention as senior pitchers Rachel Eggleston and Avery Schneringer as well as junior third baseman Kisbel Vizcaya being tabbed to the First Team while sophomore pitcher Chana Wolfe, senior infielder Morgan Fowble, junior utility Emylee Campbell and junior outfielder Brooklyn Wilson were selected to the Second Team.
