GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – For the first time since 2014, Softball has made it into the NAIA National Tournament thanks to an at-large bid after a 35-14 season. After finishing second in the WHAC Regular Season and one game short of the WHAC Championship, the Golden Eagles rightfully earned an NAIA at-large selection as they look to keep their historic season going. Softball will travel to Williamsburg, Kentucky, hosted by Cumberlands University for the Opening Round of the NAIA National Tournament. They are set to play host Cumberlands at 1 p.m. Monday afternoon to kick off postseason play.
 
Opponent: Cumberlands (Ky.)
Location: Williamsburg, Ky. (UC Softball Complex)
Date: Monday, May 12
Time: 1 p.m. EST
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2025 Season Recap
Softball finished the 2025 regular season and WHAC Tournament with an overall record of 35-14. Their most wins in a season since 2013 when they had 32 and second all-time in program history behind 37 in 2004. The Golden Eagles also saw six all-conference performers with McKenna Gilde leading the way earning First Team with Alyssa Braam, Anna Griffioen, Morgan Jenkins, Moriah Sprague, and Sam Timmer all earning Second Team honors. Softball isn't done yet as they look to keep their historic season alive with a postseason run starting on Monday.
 
On the year, the Golden Eagles are batting .306 as a team behind Moriah Sprague's team leading .386 average with Anna Griffioen leading the squad in homeruns with four. The pitching staff has been led by McKenna Gilde all year and her 2.38 ERA in 132.1 innings pitched with Alyssa Braam right behind her with an ERA of 2.65 in 124 innings with 116 strikeouts.
 
Last Time at Nationals
It has been over 11 years since Softball last made it to the NAIA National Tournament as their last appearance came in 2014, where they finished with an overall record of 26-18. They lost in the opening bracket play as they went 1-2, falling to Saint Xavier (Ill.) twice, ending their season. That year, the Golden Eagles were led by Heidi Walburg, an NAIA Honorable Mention All-American and First Team All-Conference selection thanks to being a two-way player that hit .398 with 10 homeruns, pitching 143.1 innings to a 2.83 ERA. 
 
Scouting Cumberlands
Cumberlands comes into the first-round matchup against the Golden Eagles as the #3 ranked team in the nation with an overall record of 37-7 and a perfect 18-0 conference record. Cumberlands faced off against Madonna to begin the 2025 campaign and went 2-1 against them in three tight contests. On the year, Cumberlands is hitting .356 as a team, led by Carly Oliver and her .444 average and eight homeruns. Cumberlands pitching staff as a team has a 2.03 ERA, led by Lindsey Shope and her 1.60 ERA in 140 innings pitched. The strikeout numbers are low as a team for Cumberlands, striking out just 127 batters on the year in 272.2 innings pitched, leading into showcasing their stellar defense as they averaged less than one error per-game. 
 
Scouting A&M – Texarkana
Texas A&M Texarkana comes into the first-round matchup as the #22 ranked team in the nation with an overall record of 39-10. The Eagles from Texas finished third in their conference and would lose their final two games of the conference tournament, falling short of the championship. On the year, the Eagles are batting .362 as a team behind Madison Dingman and her .575 average, she also has 47 stolen bases. For the year pitching, they come in with a team ERA of 2.34 behind Rylee Glenn and her 1.83 ERA in 107 innings pitched.
 
Scouting Mobile
Mobile comes into the first-round matchup as a #RV team and has an overall record of 32-18. The Rams fell short in their conference tournament, falling a game before their championship round. Mobile faced off against Cumberlands earlier in the season, falling 6-2 on neutral turf. On the year, Mobile is batting .310 as a team behind Lucy Spisto and her .362 average. Their pitching ERA as a team this year is 2.46 and led by Avery Harrell and her 1.68 ERA in 116.1 innings pitched.
 
Softball Contact: Jonny Strube | jon.strube@cornerstone.edu
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