CLARMORE, Okla. – Andrea Vaughan's Hillcats are bound for the NCAA Tournament for the fifth straight year, set to compete in the 2026 NCAA Division II Softball Central Regional in Pittsburg, Kansas, this Thursday-Saturday at the Pittsburg State Softball Field.
 
The No. 7-seeded Hillcats will face host and No. 2 seed Pittsburg State in the opening game of the regional on Thursday at 2 p.m. CDT. The winner will advance to play the winner of the No. 6 seed Winona State vs. No. 3 seed Central Oklahoma matchup on Friday at 11 a.m. The losing teams from Thursday's games will compete at 1:30 p.m. on Friday. For the complete tournament schedule, visit 2026 NCAA Division II Central Region Tournament - Pittsburg, Kan. - Pittsburg State University Athletics.
 
BACK DANCIN' FOR THE SIXTH TIME IN THE D-II ERA
This season marks the sixth time in program history that the Hillcats will compete in the NCAA Tournament.
 
In 2018, the No. 5 seed Hillcats earned their spot in the postseason with a remarkable run in the Heartland Conference. They defeated Texas A&M International, followed by a thrilling victory over Saint Mary's, winning 6-5. The Hillcats then claimed the title with 8-3 and 5-4 (13 innings) wins against Oklahoma Christian. However, they fell short against Colorado Mesa and Tarleton State in the NCAA South Central Regional the following week.
 
Four years later, the Rogers State softball team embarked on its greatest season in prorgam history, beginning with the Central Regional at the RCB Bank Sports Complex. The top-seeded Hillcats opened the tournament with a 1-0 win over Winona State but faced a setback the following day against Minnesota State. After defeating Winona State 10-3, RSU and Minnesota State played a 15-inning thriller, where All-American Andrea Morales threw a complete game with 195 pitches and seven strikeouts, leading the Hillcats to an 8-2 victory to force an if-necessary game. The Hillcats later knocked off the Mavericks 4-0 to advance to the super regional the following week in Claremore, where they swept rival Central Oklahoma. The Hillcats did not lose again that season, resulting in the 2022 National Championship after defeating Southern Indiana, UT Tyler and Cal State Dominguez Hills (3 times) in Denver, Colorado.
 
In 2023, the Hillcats fell just short in the Central Regional held in Joplin, Missouri. They claimed victories over Minnesota Duluth and host Missouri Southern but lost a pair to Southern Arkansas, including a 3-1 defeat in the championship game.
 
The Central Regional returned to the RCB Bank Sports Complex in 2024, where the Hillcats became the undisputed MIAA Champions, winning both the regular season (co-champs) and conference tournament titles. They advanced to the regional championship, winning 7-0 over Southern Nazarene in the opening game and 4-0 in the championship game, while also shutting out Central Oklahoma 3-0 in their second game of the tournament. However, the Hillcats dropped two games at home to Augustana the following week.
 
Last season, Rogers State traveled to Edmond, where the Hillcats collected wins over Pittsburg State and Minnesota but saw their season end with a pair of losses to host Central Oklahoma.
 
Overall, the Rogers State Softball team holds an 18-7 record in the NCAA Tournament, with regional titles in 2022 and 2024.
 
AN INCREDIBLE RUN IN THE MIAA TOURNAMENT
Rogers State's run in the 2026 MIAA Softball Championship last week helped secure its spot in the NCAA Tournament.
 
The Hillcats opened the tournament against No. 14 Pittsburg State in the quarterfinals. After neither team could score in the first five innings, RSU broke through with a run from Raelle Gorman, followed by a four-run seventh inning highlighted by RBI singles from Gorman and Saylor Brown. Senior Harley Culie was outstanding in the circle, striking out 10 batters over 7.0 innings and allowing no earned runs.
Friday's semifinal contest was a good one between RSU and No. 12 UCO. The Hillcats struck first in the second inning with a pair of runs in the second inning, before extending their lead to 5-1 in the top of the sixth inning, highlighted by a two-run shot from Brown. However, the Brochos would not go away quietly, as they leveled the game at 5-5 heading into the final frame. Gorman's first home run of her senior season was a big one and would ultimately be the decider in the 7-5 victory. Karlee Smith closed the show with a game-sealing catch over the fence to send the Hillcats back to the MIAA Championship game for the third-straight season.
 
In the MIAA Championship game, a pitchers' duel featured Culie's ace and MoSo's Kiki Pickens. The Lions broke the scoreless tie in the fourth with a sacrifice fly. RSU tied the game in the sixth when Brown was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, bringing Gorman home.  However, the Lions clinched the victory in the seventh, as Emily Perry hit a three-run walk-off homer, securing a 4-1 win and Southern's first MIAA Tournament title since 2001.
 
Following the tournament, Culie, Mariah Belzer, Brown, Gorman, and Chloe Cardona were named to the 2026 MIAA Softball Championship All-Tournament Team. Missouri Southern pitcher Kiki Pickens was named the tournament MVP.
 
MEET THE HILLCATS
Culie, a native of Peggs, Oklahoma, was named a two-time All-MIAA selection with her first team selection this season. The senior has had an impressive year with the Red and Navy, leading the MIAA with 212 strikeouts in 198.0 innings pitched. She also leads the conference in complete games (21) and games started (30) and is tied for second in wins (20). Culie was recognized as MIAA Pitcher of the Week for the second time in her career after throwing a historic 8.0-inning no-hitter—the longest in program history. In that game, she recorded 14 strikeouts, including seven consecutive, helping secure a 3-1 Senior Day victory over rival Northeastern State.
 
Freshman Kinsley Hill has been a standout for the Hillcat pitching staff this season, posting a 13-6 record and earning All-MIAA Second Team honors. The Dale, Oklahoma, native is second in the league with a 1.65 earned run average and ranks 11th with 81 strikeouts. Her 28 earned runs are the second-fewest in the league, while her 34 runs allowed are tied for third in the MIAA. Additionally, her 83 hits allowed rank tied for the seventh-fewest in the conference. Hill has also been named MIAA Pitcher of the Week twice.
 
Jaden Jordan, an All-MIAA Second Team selection, has made an immediate impact at first base after transferring from Labette Community College. The Sand Springs, Oklahoma, native boasts a slash line of .353/.427/.635, recording 55 hits, 33 RBIs, 20 runs and 20 walks. A consistent power hitter, she has hit 12 home runs and added eight doubles. Jordan contributed a dramatic two-run walk-off home run in game one against the RiverHawks during the regular-season finale. She has appeared in 54 games with 53 starts this season at first base.
 
Junior Mariah Belzer has had a solid season at shortstop. Hailing from Ankeny, Iowa, she has started 52 games this season and owns a slash line of .270/.333/.421, with 41 hits, 25 runs, 19 RBIs and 14 walks. Thirteen of her hits have been for extra bases, including eight doubles and five home runs. Notably, she hit a walk-off two-run homer in an extra-inning win over Augustana (S.D.).
 
Brown has excelled as the starting catcher in her sophomore season. The Haskell, Oklahoma, native has started in 54 games this year, successfully throwing out seven runners stealing. At the plate, she has tallied 38 hits, 25 RBIs, 15 walks and 14 runs. She has notched 10 extra base hits with six doubles, three home runs and a triple, including a walk-off home run against Northwest Missouri State.
 
Sophomore Raylin Morgan has been a key contributor as both a designated hitter and outfielder. The Haskell, Oklahoma, native has achieved 37 hits, including 12 doubles and six home runs. In a comeback win over Augustana, Morgan led the charge with a three-run home run and tied the game with a grand slam.
 
Other projected starters to keep an eye on include junior second baseman Baylee King, freshman outfielder Rylee Bush, senior outfielder Gorman, freshman third baseman Halle Bucktrot and junior outfielder Chloe Cardona, who has also played infield and catcher. Sophomore outfielder Smith has also added a spark in her 50 appearances (34 starts).
 
ABOUT THE PITTSBURG STATE GORILLAS
Pittsburg State (45-9, 17-7 MIAA) finished the regular season third and checked in at No. 17 in the latest NFCA Coaches Poll.
 
RSU holds a 17-13 all-time advantage over PSU. This marks the second meeting between the two schools in the NCAA Tournament. The Hillcats claimed a 2-1 victory over the Gorillas last season in Edmond.
 
Heather Arnett is a player to watch. The three-time All-MIAA first-team selection set new MIAA records this season with 108 hits and 77 runs scored, while also becoming the all-time leader in hits, runs and stolen bases. A native of Pittsburg, Kansas, Arnett, as a leadoff hitter, has recorded 39 RBIs and stolen 38 bases. She has also notched 22 extra base hits with 14 doubles, seven triples and a home run.
 
All-MIAA Second Teamer Emma Crabb (15-4) is the projected starter in the circle. The Mountain Home, Arkansas, has worked 117.0 innings pitched with 99 strikeouts. Her ERA stands at 2.29 and holds a 1.03 WHIP. Crabb is 0-2 against the RSU this season.
 
ABOUT THE CENTRAL OKLAHOMA BROCHOS
Central Oklahoma (42-13, 18-6 MIAA) wrapped up the regular season second in the MIAA standings and was No. 11 in the latest NFCA Coaches' Poll.
 
UCO holds a 20-10 series advantage over the RSU, but the Hillcats are 3-0 against the Bronchos this season. In the NCAA Tournament, the series between the in-state rivals is locked at 3-3.
 
The player to watch for UCO is senior Rylee Lemos. Lemos was named the MIAA Defensive Player of the Year, All-MIAA First Team and Gold Glove recipient in the outfield. The South Coffeyville, Oklahoma, native has slashed .395/.491/.774 with 70 hits (17 2B, 7 3B, 12 HR), 65 RBIs, 61 runs and 28 walks. She has also stolen 14 bases and has fielded 1.000 in 55 starts.
 
The pitcher to watch is Kinnaird (17-4). The All-MIAA Third Team selection from Neosho, Missouri, has collected 152 strikeouts in 145.0 innings of work. She holds a 2.80 ERA and 1.26 WHIP. The freshman is 0-1 against the Hillcats this season.
 
ABOUT THE WINONA STATE WARRIORS
Winona State (48-9, 26-4 NSIC) finished as the NSIC Co-Regular Season Champions and were ranked No. 25 in the latest NFCA Coaches Poll.
 
The Hillcats are 4-0 against the Warriors all-time, including 2-0 in the NCAA Tournament after collecting a pair of wins in the Central Regional at the RCB Bank Sports Complex in 2022.
 
Junior Alyssa Woelfel is a standout player for Winona State. The New Holstein, Wisconsin, native was named the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) Player of the Year, leading the league in batting average (.490), slugging percentage (.837), on-base percentage (.575), OPS (1.412), hits (48) and doubles (13). She also recorded 48 RBIs, seven home runs, and 20 walks while maintaining a .996 fielding percentage with 215 putouts.
 
Junior Jayda Berg (20-4) is the Warrior pitcher to watch. The All-NSIC First Teamer has appeared in 32 games with 24 starts this season. She has collected 124 strikeouts in 165.2 innings of work. She holds a 1.99 ERA and .97 WHIP.