STEPHENVILLE, Texas – No. 1 California Baptist won its first-ever WAC softball tournament title after defeating No. 2 Tarleton State 8-2 in the winner-take-all championship game. The Texans forced game 11 of the tournament after handing the Lancers their first loss of the tournament in a 6-4 game 10 victory.

Game 10 – No. 2 Tarleton State 6, No. 1 California Baptist 4 | Box Score

California Baptist’s two-run lead in the first inning was shortly lived as Casey Schultz delivered with the bases load and hit a grand slam, her second home run of the tournament, in part of a five-run first inning for the Texans. Braylin Pannill added onto Tarleton State’s early lead with a solo home run in the third inning. Shelby Schutlz pitched 5.2 innings of relief to pick up her 20^th win of the season. Schultz held the Lancers to just one earned run and six hits.

Ashlee Annett drove in the two first-inning runs for California Baptist, with a two-RBI single up the middle. Malachy Russell-Millen and Makayla Medellin also recorded an RBI single in the game. Emily Darwin tossed 5.2 innings in the pitching circle for the Lancers, holding the Texans to one earned run and three hits.

Game 11 – No. 1 California Baptist 8, No. 2 Tarleton State 2 | Box Score
 
California Baptist responded quickly to the loss by putting up three runs in the first inning, highlighted by Makayla Medellin’s two-run homer off the scoreboard in right field. The Lancers grew their lead with a five-run third inning that was capped off by Kimberly Westover’s pinch-hit three-run triple that was hit down the rightfield line. WAC Pitcher of the Year Miranda De Nava pitched her 16^th complete game of the season in the championship game, surrendering just two earned runs and two hits.

Braylin Pannill posted back-to-back games with a solo home run as she put Tarleton State on the board in the second inning with her second homer on the day. The only other Texan hit in the game came in the fifth inning when Madison Runyan drove in the second Texan run with an RBI single.

CBU’s Medellin was named the tournament’s Most Outstanding Player after posting a .545 batting average (6-for-11) with two home runs, six RBIs and a league-leading seven runs scored. Joining Medellin on the All-Tournament from California Baptist was Annett, De Nava, Kenzie Farrier-Pilon and Sydney Peterson. Tarleton State was represented by Pannill, Casey and Shelby Schultz, and Macie Vickers. Utah Valley’s Lily Riley and Southern Utah’s Michaella Salvatierra were 2026 WAC All-Tournament Team honorees as well.

California Baptist will head to its first NCAA regionals appearance as the Lancers will find out where they will play in the 2026 NCAA Division I Softball Tournament Selection Show on Sunday, May 10^th at 7 p.m. ET.

2026 University Credit Union WAC Softball All-Tournament Team
Ashlee Annett, 1B, California Baptist
Miranda De Nava, RHP, California Baptist
Kenzie Farrier-Pilon, SS, California Baptist
Makayla Medellin, OF, California Baptist (MOP)
Sydney Peterson, 2B, California Baptist
Braylin Pannill, 3B, Tarleton State
Casey Schultz, OF/DP, Tarleton State
Shelby Schultz, LHP, Tarleton State
Macie Vickers, C, Tarleton State
Lily Riley, RHP, Utah Valley
Michaella Salvatierra, OF, Southern Utah