Madonna Claims 2026 NAIA Softball National Title

Photo: MSH Visual, Official NAIA Softball World Series Photographer

COLUMBUS, Ga. - (NAIA Release | Watch on Demand | Box Score) Madonna captured the first NAIA Softball National Championship in program history Thursday, beating Southeastern 8-4 after answering every push in the title game at South Commons in Columbus, Ga. The decisive swing of momentum came in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Madonna broke a 4-4 tie with three runs and took control on the way to the first softball national title by a WHAC program.

Southeastern struck first with two runs in the top of the third. Raylei McKinney singled to right-center to bring home the game's first run, and Nicole Wasserstrom followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0. Madonna answered immediately in the bottom half. Rylee Fitzpatrick started the rally with an RBI single up the middle, Carson Kuhlmann reached on a fielding error that brought in two more runs, and Faith Peschke added an RBI single to left as Madonna surged in front 4-2.

The lead did not hold for long. Southeastern tied the game in the fourth, pulling even at 4-4 on an RBI single through the left side by Erica Ramsey. Madonna responded again in the bottom half with the game's defining stretch. Rylee Fitzpatrick reached on a fielder's choice that plated the go-ahead run, then Carson Kuhlmann delivered a two-run single up the middle to extend the advantage to 7-4. That sequence gave Madonna needed breathing room in a back-and-forth championship game.

Madonna finished with 11 hits and put pressure on Southeastern throughout the afternoon. Carson Kuhlmann drove in three runs, while Rylee Fitzpatrick scored twice and added two RBIs. Peschke and Chelsea Weatherford each collected two hits. The final run came in the sixth, when Jessica Dunkel lifted a sacrifice fly to right field to push the margin to 8-4.

In the circle, Madonna used a three-pitcher combination to close out the championship. Anna Battagin earned the win with four strong innings in relief, allowing three hits and one run, though none of it was earned, while walking none and striking out one. Camille Oyer worked two innings and allowed two runs, and Sara Austin covered one inning. Southeastern finished with eight hits, led by McKinney's two-hit, one-RBI effort. Maria Zelenka started for Southeastern, and Edan Playa took the loss in relief.

The box score reflected the pressure Madonna created all game. The champions turned 11 hits, seven RBIs and just one error into an 8-4 finish, while Southeastern totaled eight hits and committed two errors. For Madonna, the comeback from an early two-run deficit and the answer after the fourth-inning tie delivered a breakthrough moment, a national championship secured with timely hitting and steady relief pitching in Columbus.

The Crusaders finished their remarkable season with a 52-4 overall record. They concluded their title run on an 18-game winning streak. 

Following the conclusion of the action, the NAIA honored its All-Tournament Team. Ashley Rosiewicz was honored as the tournament MVP.

All Tournament Team: