WILLIAMSBURG, Ky. - Fresh off capturing the Sun Conference Tournament title, No. 9 Keiser Softball is headed back to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round for the second consecutive season. The Seahawks earned the No. 1 seed in the Williamsburg Bracket and will travel to the University of the Cumberlands Softball Complex in Williamsburg, Kentucky, where they await the winner of Benedictine and Oakland City.
Keiser enters the national tournament with a 44-8 overall record and continues one of the most successful seasons in program history. The Seahawks secured an automatic berth after winning the Sun Conference Tournament and now look to continue their postseason run on the national stage.
The Seahawks will face either Benedictine or Oakland City in their Opening Round matchup. If Benedictine advances, it will mark the first meeting in program history between the two programs. If Oakland City advances, it will be the third all-time meeting between the schools after the teams split a doubleheader in Jacksonville, Florida during the 2021 season.
No. 9 Keiser Seahawks (44-8, 19-5) vs
(RV) Benedictine (Kan.) (33-18, 19-9) /
Oakland City (Ind.) (36-16, 30-6)
Monday, May 11th, 2026 - 5:00 PM
UC Softball Complex - (Williamsburg, Ky.)
LIVE VIDEO: URBAN EDGE NETWORK
LIVE STATS: SIDEARM STATS
| Time |
|
Matchup |
|
|
Monday, May 11th |
| 12:00 PM |
GM 1 |
#4 Benedictine (Kan.) vs. #5 Oakland City (Ind.) |
| 2:30 PM |
GM 2 |
#2 Saint Xavier (Ill.) vs. #3 Cumberlands (Ky.) |
| 5:00 PM |
GM 3 |
#1 Keiser vs. Winner GM 1 |
|
|
Tuesday, May 12th |
| 12:00 PM |
GM 4 |
Loser GM 1 vs. Loser GM 2 |
| 2:30 PM |
GM 5 |
Winner GM 2 vs. Winner GM 3 |
| 5:00 PM |
GM 6 |
Winner GM 4 vs. Loser GM 5 |
|
|
Wednesday, May 13th |
| 12:00 PM |
GM 7 |
Loser GM 5 vs. Winner GM 6 |
| 2:30 PM |
GM 8 |
Winner GM 5 vs. Winner GM 7 |
|
|
Thursday, May 14th |
| 12:00 PM |
GM 9 |
Championship Game (if necessary) |
- vs. Oakland City
- Keiser and Oakland City have met twice previously, splitting a doubleheader during the 2021 season in Jacksonville, Florida.
- March 9, 2021: Oakland City def. Keiser 1-0
- March 9, 2021: Keiser def. Oakland City 3-1
- vs. Benedictine
- First meeting in program history
- No. 9 Keiser enters the NAIA National Championship Opening Round as the No. 1 seed in the Williamsburg Bracket after winning the Sun Conference Tournament title
- The Seahawks return to the Opening Round for the second consecutive season, continuing one of the strongest stretches in program history
- Keiser earned a first-round bye and will face the winner of Benedictine and Oakland City at the University of the Cumberlands Softball Complex in Williamsburg, Kentucky
- If Keiser faces Benedictine, it will mark the first meeting between the two programs. If the Seahawks face Oakland City, it will be the third all-time meeting after the teams split a doubleheader in 2021
- The Seahawks enter postseason play with a 44-8 overall record and one of the most balanced teams in the NAIA, combining elite pitching with explosive offensive production
- Mackenzie Masternak continues to lead the pitching staff after breaking the program's single-season wins record, entering the tournament with 24 victories and a 2.00 ERA
- Maggie Miller provides one of the nation's top bullpen options, ranking among the NAIA leaders in ERA, WHIP, and saves while giving Keiser valuable depth in the circle
- Faith Campos remains one of the most dynamic players in the lineup, leading the conference in stolen bases while hitting nearly .400 and playing flawless defense in center field
- Genesis Iglesias anchors the middle of the order after setting the program's single-season walks record while ranking among the conference leaders in RBI, home runs, and total bases
- Macy Schaaf and Sarah Phipps continue to provide consistent offensive production at the top of the lineup after both earned First Team All-Conference honors and Sun Conference All-Tournament Team recognition
- Jordan Brantley enters the national tournament with momentum after earning Sun Conference Tournament MVP honors following a clutch postseason performance
- Keiser's offense has consistently pressured opponents all season, ranking among the conference leaders in batting average, runs scored, stolen bases, and on-base percentage
| Keiser |
2026 Stats |
Benedictine |
Oakland City |
| 460 |
Hits |
384 |
242 |
| 346 |
Runs |
252 |
128 |
| 308 |
Runs Batted In |
226 |
109 |
| 23 |
Home Runs |
18 |
4 |
| 147 |
Stolen Bases |
98 |
30 |
| .338 |
Batting Average |
.327 |
.254 |
| 152 |
Strikeouts |
146 |
124 |
| 2.04 |
ERA |
2.56 |
3.69 |
| Keiser |
2026 Leaders |
Benedictine |
Oakland City |
| Campos (64) |
Hits |
Two Tied (58) |
Bufford (80) |
| Campos (48) |
Runs |
Velilla (42) |
Wissel (46) |
| Iglesias (46) |
Runs Batted In |
Martin (40) |
Bufford (60) |
| Iglesias (9) |
Home Runs |
Martin (13) |
Bufford (11) |
| Campos (48) |
Stolen Bases |
Cooper (13) |
Cross (9) |
| Schaaf (.422) |
Batting Average |
Martin (.389) |
Bufford (.455) |
| Masternak (82) |
Strikeouts |
Selvage (202) |
Butcher (136) |
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