Ashland, Ore.-- OUAZ Softball saw its 2026 season come to a close on Tuesday with a 7-1 loss to #3 seed Saint Francis (Ind.) in the elimination game of the NAIA National Tournament Opening Round in Ashland, Oregon.
The Spirit finish the year with a 33-18 overall record after putting together one of the strongest seasons in program history. OUAZ captured the GSAC Tournament Championship and earned a berth into the NAIA National Tournament for just the second time in program history, joining the 2021 team.
Saint Francis jumped out early with four runs in the opening inning and added another in the third to take control of the game. The Cougars finished with 10 hits on the day, while OUAZ collected eight hits of its own but was unable to capitalize on several scoring opportunities.
Brianna Humphries led the Spirit offensively, going 2-for-4 with an RBI double in the seventh inning to break up the shutout. Savannah Sutton also added two hits, while Elysa Moreno, Sophie Jackson, Nayeli Inzunza, and Elizabeth Luna each contributed hits in the contest. Alexis Ayersman went the distance in the circle for OUAZ, striking out two over six innings of work.
Despite the season-ending result, the 2026 campaign marked a memorable year for the Spirit. OUAZ finished among the top teams in the GSAC throughout the season before making a postseason run to claim the conference tournament title and secure a spot on the national stage. The appearance in the Opening Round continued the growth of the program and added another milestone season to the history of OUAZ Softball.
