ARLINGTON, Texas - The Arlington Baptist University softball program is going back to the NCCAA College World Series, and this time, they are heading there as arguably the most complete team they have ever fielded. The Patriots (21-10) have earned an at-large bid to the NCCAA College World Series, marking the program's third trip to the national championship event in just five seasons of existence. ABU will enter as the #3 seed and will open play on Monday at 3:30 PM against #6 seed University of Northwestern at Oak Grove Softball Complex in Grapevine, Texas.
The at-large bid comes on the heels of one of the most decorated regular seasons in program history. The Patriots claimed the NCCAA Central Region Regular Season Championship in a feat made all the more impressive by the region's composition: 12 teams, nine of which are NAIA member schools. ABU navigated that rugged field and emerged as the region's best by finishing #2 in the entire nation in NCCAA Power Ratings (RPI) - establishing themselves as one of the premier programs in the country heading into the postseason.
Head Coach Davis Beaver reflected on what this moment means to the program:
"We have been blessed as a program to go to the World Series twice before with some very good teams, but this team has never been. We have two seniors [Bri Escalante and Liz Werner] on this team that have been to a World Series before, and I cannot tell you how much it means to me to be able to get them back there as they finish their illustrious careers. We are thrilled to represent ABU, the City of Arlington, and our softball alumni on the national stage yet again. But I'm blown away by what God is doing in and through this team. He's blessed us greatly, and He hasn't brought this team this far to leave us now. They've learned throughout this year that they have to stay humble and hungry and not be affected by success or failure. At the end of the day, we have to put it on the field next week!"
— Davis Beaver, Head Coach, ABU Softball
The Architect of a Legacy: Brianna Escalante
At the center of this program's historic run is fifth-year senior Brianna Escalante, the most decorated player in Arlington Baptist University softball history. Escalante is the program's all-time leader in hits, RBIs, and doubles, and is tied for first in home runs - a career that has set the standard for everything the Patriots have built. As she prepares to play on the sport's biggest NCCAA stage one final time, she did not mince words about what this moment means.
"Going back to the World Series means so much to me that words cannot fully explain the feeling. This team has been through a lot to get to this point and we have all worked so hard. I am very grateful to my teammates because they wanted this just as much as I did. I am so happy and grateful to make one last appearance at the World Series to end my career on the biggest stage of my life."
- Brianna Escalante, Fifth-Year Senior, ABU Softball
College World Series Details
Event: 2026 NCCAA College World Series
Location: Oak Grove Softball Complex - Grapevine, Texas
ABU Seed: #3
First Round Opponent: #6 University of Northwestern
First Round Game Time: Monday, 3:30 PM
About Arlington Baptist University Softball
Arlington Baptist University is located in the heart of the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex - 10 minutes from AT&T Stadium (home of the five-time Super Bowl Champion Dallas Cowboys) and Globe Life Field (home of the 2023 World Series Champion Texas Rangers). In just five years of existence, the ABU softball program has established itself as one of the premier programs in NCCAA softball, with three regular season championships, three College World Series appearances, and a program-record 20-8 regular season mark in 2026.
Media Contact
Arlington Baptist University Athletics
Jada Hollie, SID, jhollie@abu.edu
