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SPRINGFIELD, Mo. – After clinching the KCAC Regular Season Title last weekend and earning the #1 seed and automatic bid to the NAIA National Opening Rounds, the Valor Softball program is set to open the KCAC Conference Tournament in Salina, Kan., taking on the #8-seeded Bethany College Swedes.

First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 a.m. from Salina South HS, as Evangel looks to defend their title, having won the last two KCAC Conference Tournaments.

SERIES HISTORY

Joining Evangel in the conference tournament are seven other KCAC schools. Below is EU's all-time record against the opponents and their series results this season.

• #2 Oklahoma Wesleyan - 19-7 all-time (1-1 in 2026 in Springfield)

• #3 Ottawa - 11-8-1 all-time (2-0 in 2026 at Ottawa)

• #4 Avila - 44-23 all-time (1-1 in 2026 in Springfield)

• #5 Friends - 11-3 all-time (2-0 in 2026 in Springfield)

• #6 Kansas Wesleyan - 7-6 all-time (2-0 in 2026 in Springfield)

• #7 Tabor - 9-1 all-time (2-0 in 2026 at Hillsboro)

• #8 Bethany - 5-1 all-time (1-1 in 2026 at Lindsborg)

OPENING STORYLINES

• Evangel concluded the regular season early last week, capping off a strong regular season with a 39-9 record while going 21-5 in conference play.

• The Valor were led offensively by senior Kenna Mayfield, who is batting a red-hot .475 on the season. Mayfield also leads Evangel in hits (77), triple (9, school record), and stolen bases (54).

• Naomi Perkins joins Mayfield as the only other EU athlete to swing at least .400, batting .404 on the season with the second most hits (61) and the most RBIs (38).

• Audrey Carlton (.331), Lauren Dill (.327), and Natalie Morgan (.310) round out batters who swing above .300 on the season, as Carlton and Morgan both have drove in 34 RBIs.

• Taking a look at Evangel's pitching this season, junior Maddy Meierer continues to be a dominant arm for EU, currently with a 1.11 ERA, 21-3 record in the regular season, and 157 strikeouts. The Valor #2 has been almost just as strong at Meierer, as senior Madi Bentley has a 2.81 ERA, 15-6 record in the regular season, and has struck out 108 batters.

• Evangel's defense has been steady all season, currently sitting with a .970 fielding percentage, tied for 16th in the nation.

• Other first round Wednesday matchups in the conference tournament are below.

  • #2 Oklahoma Wesleyan vs #7 Tabor - 11:00 AM

  • #4 Avila vs #5 Friends - Approx. 1:30 PM

  • #3 Ottawa vs #6 Kansas Wesleyan - Approx. 1:30 PM

  • Winners of 1/8 and 4/5 - Approx. 4:00 PM

  • Winners of 3/6 and 2/7 - Approx. 4:00 PM

  • Losers of 1/8 and 4/5 - Approx. 6:30 PM

  • Losers of 3/6 and 2/7 - Approx. 6:30 PM

LOOKING AHEAD

Evangel Softball will continue to compete in the KCAC Conference Tournament and will play an additional game on Wednesday, April 29th. With a win, the Valor will take on the winner of #4 Avila and #5 Friends, while a loss will force an elimination game with the loser of the aforementioned matchup.

For the latest information on Evangel Athletics, visit Facebook at Facebook.com/EvangelValor, Twitter (@EvangelValor), or EvangelAthletics.com. Fans can also receive updates on their favorite EU teams by downloading the Evangel Athletics Gameday App through the App Store or Google Play.