LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Lindsey Wilson edged the University of Mobile, 2-1, to claim the 2026 NFCA NAIA Leadoff Classic title, Sunday morning at the South Commons Complex. The teams entered Sunday as the lone undefeated teams left in the field. The Blue Raiders are the 10th different program to win the NAIA Leadoff in the 10th edition of the tournament.
In the title game, an RBI single by Natalie Wandrie in the bottom of the sixth lifted the Blue Raiders to the 2-1 victory. Wandrie also homered in the fourth to tie the game at one. Kayden Murray went the distance in the circle to earn the win.
Mobile opened the scoring in the top of the second on a sac fly to foul territory by Bethany Dean. Wandrie tied the game with her solo homer in the fourth and put Lindsey Wilson in the lead for good with her run-scoring single to right.
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Mobile finished the tournament with a 4-1 mark. Joining the Rams in the four-win column were Faulkner (4-1) and Reinhardt (4-2). Anna Segrest’s two-out RBI single in the top of the seventh lifted Faulkner over Cumberlands, 4-3.
Reinhardt, which played two on Sunday, blanked Rio Grande, 5-0 and edged Louisiana Christian, 4-3 in eight innings. Anslie Pettit twirled a three-hit shutout with four strikeouts and Ansley Hight homered and drove in two in the win over the Red Storm. Against the Wildcats, the Golden Eagles scored two in the top of the eighth and held on for the one-run victory.
Also picking up wins on Sunday were Georgia Gwinnett, Campbellsville and Coastal Georgia. GGC’s 6-4 victory over Freed-Hardeman was the 500th for head coach Kat Ihlenburg. Campbellsville and Coastal Georgia improved to 3-2 with their victories. The Tigers nipped U.S. Sports University, 7-6 in 10 innings, while the Mariners trumped William Carey, 3-2. The Crusaders also finished up their weekend with a 3-2 mark.
All-Tournament Team
Ava Moon, Brenau University
Jessie Daniels, Campbellsville University
Rylee Mills, College of Coastal Georgia
Chloe Davidson, Faulkner University
Karli Quillin, Freed-Hardeman University
Casey Beaver, Georgia Gwinnett College
Megan Armstrong, Johnson University
Kayden Murray, Lindsey Wilson College
Mariel Medrano, Louisiana Christian University
Anslie Pettit, Reinhardt University
Avary Lumpkin, Stillman College
Baileigh Herrera, Thomas University
Cassie Boatright, Truett McConnell University
Kassidy (Rowdy) New, United States Sports University
Avery Harrell, University of Mobile
Natalie Bates, University of Rio Grande
Grace Ross, University of the Cumberlands
Jayden Sawyer, William Carey University
