COLUMBIA, Ky. - Indiana Wesleyan Softball punched its ticket to the 2026 NAIA Softball World Series after going undefeated in the Opening Round, culminating in a 10-2 victory over Johnson University (Tenn.) on Wednesday afternoon. Freshman
Avery Toole led the whole way for IWU, amassing 21 innings pitched over the past three games with 10 strikeouts.
Whitney Waddell was a key offensive player, recording 6 hits and 4 runs across the three tournament games. With the win, the Wildcats advance to the World Series for the first time since 2022.
IWU started strong with a
Maddie Martin solo home run in the bottom of the 1st. Another run was added in the next inning as
Leah May laid down a sacrifice bunt to score
Whitney Waddell. The 3rd inning is when the Wildcats broke open the game, scoring 6 runs highlighted by a bases-clearing double by
Sara Ruble. Johnson was able to cut into the lead in the next frame as they scored 2 runs to make it 8-2. However,
Brylee Bilger put another one over the fence in the bottom of the 4th to bring the score to 9-2. Neither team changed the scoreboard in the 5th, and IWU had a chance to win by run rule with only one more run in the bottom of the 6th.
Courtney Thomas came through in the clutch, bringing home
Sara Ruble for the World Series sending run.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Columbia, Kentucky / Marilyn D. Sparks Park
- Records: IWU 40-13 (30-6) | JU 34-20 (19-7)
- Game Score: IWU def. JU 10-2 (6 innings)
GAME HIGHLIGHTS
- Maddie Martin broke the egg with a solo home run in the bottom of the 1st inning.
- Leah May brought home Whitney Waddell with a sacrifice bunt in the bottom of the 2nd to make it 2-0.
- The 3rd inning saw 6 Wildcat runners cross home plate. Waddell singled through the right side to bring home the first run and Madisyn Tharpe walked in a run with the bases loaded. Sara Ruble cleared the bases in the following at-bat with a double to left field which made it 7-0 in favor of IWU. Danica Fuller followed suit with another double, this one to right field, that brought Ruble home.
- Johnson scored 2 in the top of the 4th to prevent a run rule win for IWU.
- But the Wildcats tallied another when Brylee Bilger shot a no doubt home run into left field in the 4th.
- Entering the bottom of the 6th up 9-2, IWU had a chance to send the Royals home with one more score. With runners on second and third, Courtney Thomas singled through the middle of the infield to bring home Ruble and send the Wildcats to Columbus, Georgia next week.
KEY WILDCATS
TOOLE PERSPECTIVE
- "I think as a team we played very freely and just knew we were going to play our game and it was in God's hand no matter what," said freshman Avery Toole. "I felt great on the mound, knowing that my defense had my back and those girls truly cared about me. There's not one girl on the team that I wouldn't do anything for and I feel like this win is a reflection of not only dedication but how God has worked in our lives. I give all glory to God and just want to thank all my teammates individually, but specifically my catcher, because without her, I wouldn't be able to perform."
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Tuesday, March 12, 2026
- Game 4: Tennessee Southern def. Missouri Baptist 8-3
- Game 5: Indiana Wesleyan def. Lindsey Wilson 11-3
- Game 6: Johnson (Tenn) def. Tennessee Southern 8-6
Wednesday, March 13, 2026
- Game 7 - Johnson (Tenn.) def. Lindsey Wilson 3-1
- Game 8 - Indiana Wesleyan def. Johnson (Tenn.) 11-2 (6 innings)
NEXT TIME OUT
- IWU has qualified for the 2026 World Series in Columbus, Georgia starting on May 21st.
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