Oklahoma City — The Blue Mountain Christian University softball team concluded its historic 2026 season Tuesday in Oklahoma City, earning its first-ever NAIA National Opening Round victory before losing to the top-seeded Oklahoma City University Stars in a close game.
The Toppers, who set numerous school records and captured their first national postseason win, began the day with a 4-3 victory over Williams Baptist University in eight innings. They took an early lead, with RBI singles from Aspen Teague and a sacrifice fly from Kelsey Camp. An error allowed Teague to score in the third inning for a 3-0 advantage.
Williams Baptist fought back, tying the game in the sixth. In the eighth, Neely Barrier scored the go-ahead run after Laklyn Nichols delivered a single to left field. Madison Montgomery pitched six innings, striking out three, to keep the Toppers in control. Neely Cooper finished the game with two scoreless innings, earning the win and striking out three.
Offensively, Teague led with three hits and two runs scored. Vaye Savage and Bre Ramsey each added two hits for Blue Mountain Christian.
Later that evening, the Toppers faced Oklahoma City University, the host and No. 1 seed. They held the nationally ranked Stars to just one hit but fell 1-0. The lone run scored in the fourth inning on an unearned RBI single. Cooper pitched a complete game, allowing seven hits, one unearned run, and striking out five.
The loss marked the end of one of the most successful seasons in Blue Mountain Christian athletics history. The team finished 39-17-1, set program records, and secured its first national postseason victory. Senior leadership played a significant role in the team’s success, laying a foundation for the future of the program.
