ARLINGTON, TX – The Arlington Baptist softball team is used to being among the last teams standing at the NCCAA College World Series.  Kansas City, the site of the World Series, is the second home for the Patriots come May.  However, this year, the Patriots fell one inning short of making another return trip to Kansas City.
The Patriots fell in the decisive, winner-take-all game 2 of the NCCAA Regional Championship series 8-7 to Dallas Christian despite roaring back through the tournament field after losing the opener to Ecclesia.  The Patriots fell 10-2 to Ecclesia in the opening round, only to come back and defeat Ecclesia 6-1 and Kansas Christian 15-7 in elimination games, and then beat Dallas Christian 14-3 to open the champ series. 
The Patriots stood just four outs away from another trip to Kansas City before giving up solo home runs in the 6^th and 7^th inning.  The shot in the bottom of the 7^th provided the walk off winner for DCC.
"We were so close.  The way we played in the tournament showed what we were about.  This group has fighters.  We showed fight and grittiness throughout.  We showed what we already know, we are one of the best teams in the NCCAA.  We are a World Series caliber team.  Unfortunately, we don't get to go.  I'm disappointed in the way it ended and coming up just short, but I'm proud of their fight and togetherness," said head coach Davis Beaver
The Patriot offense showed up in a mighty way in the regional tournament.  The Patriots hit .380 as a team, scoring 44 runs on 54 hits, 13 doubles, 5 HRs, 42 RBIs, with an on-base percentage of .455.  The Patriots walked 19 times, while only striking out 7 times the entire tournament. 
The offense gave a glimpse of what-might-have-been for the season.  The Patriots battled injuries all season, playing without a number of key pieces including the past two Region MVPs and All-American candidates Brianna Escalante and Zoey Bredleau.  Escalante remained sidelined, playing in just three games all season, hitting .571 in those contests.  Bredleau returned the last few weeks of the season and hit .400 with 2 HR and 9 RBI in the tournament.  Camryn Slocum, who returned in late April, hit .333 with 3 doubles and 7 RBIs in regionals. 
The offense often struggled to gain traction without them as the Patriots battled through one of the toughest schedules in the NCCAA, which was highlighted by ten NCAA Division I and NCAA Division II squads.  Even so, the Patriots were in close games seemingly every night.  The Patriots lost 23 games by five runs or less, 14 of them by 3 runs or less, and 10 of those by 2 runs or less.
"Our schedule featured NCAA D1 and NCAA D2 teams, NAIA tournament teams, ranked teams, and teams receiving votes at all levels, and we were never at full strength.  Obviously, if you're missing your two All-American candidates in your offense and your ace pitcher [Kyndal Murphy] coming into the season, it makes a huge difference.  But kudos to the freshmen for stepping in and battling all year.  They grew and developed.  We played in so many close games and lost most of them all right at the end, it was frustrating.  Unfortunately, it fits the narrative with our season ending on a solo walk off home run, losing yet again by one run.  I'm really disappointed for the girls, they deserve better.  But we'll be back," Beaver said.
The Patriots found bright spots all year behind pitchers Ariana Cabrera, Melissa Cabrera, and Camie Welborn, infielders Carissa Lagor and Daveny Garcia, and catcher Ashlee Drury, all freshmen.  Sophomores Elizabeth Werner and Sophia Cavazos were key offensive players, while junior catcher Hannah Pacheco paced the offense with a .346 average.  Offensively, Garcia (.313, 2 HR, 6 RBI), Lagor (.438, 2 2B, 7 RBI), Werner (.529, 2 2B, 3 RBI), and Cavazos (.429, 2 2B) each had huge regional tournaments. 
"Most of the year, we had no seniors and between 1-3 juniors on the field.  The rest were underclassmen.  Their experiences bode well for us moving forward," said Beaver.
The Patriots will return a strong nucleus in 2025.  Stay tuned for the fall schedule and the return of Patriot Magic softball.