SOFTBALL SEASON ENDS WITH LOSS TO OTTAWA IN KCAC TOURNAMENT

SALINA, Kan. – Another tremendous Avila softball campaign came to an end on Thursday afternoon, as the Eagles fell in the third round of the 2026 KCAC Tournament, 5-1 to Ottawa.

The Braves broke the game open with a two-run home run in the second inning and added two more in the fifth to take a 4-0 lead.

Another run from Ottawa in the sixth stretched its lead to 5-0.

McKayla Cotton got the Eagles on the board in the bottom of the sixth inning with a solo home run to cut into the lead.

Avila left six runners on base throughout the game and were unable to bring any more runners across the plate, ending its 2026 season with a 5-1 loss to Ottawa. The Eagles 2-4 hitters – Emily Branson, Abi Beaman and McKayla Cotton – accounted for six of Avila's eight hits on the day.

The 10-person senior class of Emily Branson, McKayla Cotton, Mackenzie Daniels, Marissa Espinoza, Samantha Gatica, Zoleecia Grayson, Stephanie Hayes, Sophia Medina, Jordan Pollo and Maya Richards wrap up their Eagle careers leaving their mark on the program.

Avila finished the season 30-20 with a 19-8 KCAC mark. The Eagles won 30 or more games for the fourth-straight season and have finished above .500 in each of the last 12 full seasons. 

With a solid core of returning players, head coach Charlie Kennedy and his program will look to continue to grow the program in 2027.

(photo credit: Kansas Wesleyan)