KANSAS CITY, MO. - Missouri Baptist University Softball's tremendous start to the 2025 campaign, picking up a trio of wins against nationally ranked opponents, has placed the Spartans at No. 17 in the first NAIA Coaches' Poll.
The Spartans began the season going 4-1 in the Southern Collegiate Sports NAIA Invitational. Alexi Sanchez, Taylor Whitehead, Allison Leigraf, and Jacie Dees were all placed on the All-Tournament Team. In the tournament, Missouri Baptist claimed a win over (RV) Mid-America Christian and No. 8 Oklahoma City, who are now ranked No. 5.
The following week, the Spartans beat (RV) University of Houston-Victoria and split a two game series with reigning National Champions and No. 1 Our Lady of the Lake.
Missouri Baptist also went 3-1 in the NAIA SB Invitational, picking up wins against No. 15 Midland and (RV) Bellevue. Whitehead and Camryn Kessler were placed on the All-Tournament Team for their performances in Oklahoma City, Okla.
The Spartans were receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll and were placed at No. 17 in the first poll of the regular season.
The Spartans have won three American Midwest Conference Player of the Week awards throughout the season, as Kessler has one and Whitehead has two.
Brooklynn Fischer is leading the squad with a .417 batting average and five doubles. Sanchez has led the team with 13 RBI, and Makayla Johnson has set the table for the Spartans in the leadoff spot with 30 total bases, 19 hits, nine runs scored, and seven stolen bases.
Whitehead's 1.75 ERA and 5-0 record lead the pitching staff, and Fischer's 4-2 record and 46 innings pitched have led the two to become a dynamic duo for Missouri Baptist early in the season. They will look to continue their success for the remainder of the year.
Missouri Baptist's strength of schedule will not take a dip in the upcoming weeks as they are set to take on No. 20 Benedictine and No. 8 Central Methodist, both at home, before starting their conference schedule.
With a pair of canceled doubleheaders this week, the Spartans will return to the diamond on Tuesday, Mar. 11, when they host No. 20 Benedictine starting at noon.
To view the full NAIA Coaches' Poll, visit https://naia.prestosports.com/sports/sball/2024-25/Releases/Rating_1
