Kansas City, MO – The University of the Cumberlands softball team finished the 2026 season ranked #8 in the final NAIA Coaches' Top 25 Poll, released by the national office following the conclusion of the NAIA Softball World Series. 

The Patriots climbed from their final regular season ranking of #17 after a strong postseason run that included an appearance in the NAIA Softball World Series. Cumberlands finished the year with a 40-21 overall record, marking another successful campaign for the program and its fourth consecutive trip to Columbus, GA. 

After earning an at-large bid to the NAIA Opening Round, the Patriots hosted the Williamsburg Bracket. Cumberlands battled through the elimination bracket to capture the Opening Round title, defeating both #2 Saint Xavier University (Ill.) and #1 Keiser University (Fla.) to punch its ticket to the World Series. 

The Patriots were led throughout the season by graduate student Grace Ross, who finished the year batting .426 with 72 hits, 18 doubles, 17 home runs, and 57 RBIs. Ross also set the program's single-season home run record during the season and was instrumental in Cumberlands' postseason run. 

In the circle, senior Jessica Cord turned in one of the best pitching seasons in program history, posting a 24-12 record with a 1.63 ERA across 214.1 innings. Cord's 24 victories established a new program record for wins in a single season while helping anchor a pitching staff that finished with a 2.09 team ERA. 

Emily Delgado also played a pivotal role for the Patriots, contributing both offensively and in the circle. Delgado hit .378 with 54 hits, 36 RBIs, and four home runs while compiling a 9-2 record and 2.63 ERA in 64 innings pitched. 

Cumberlands finished the season ranked among the NAIA's top programs after spending the final month of the season climbing the national rankings. The Patriots recorded postseason victories over nationally-ranked opponents, won the Williamsburg Opening Round Bracket, and continued the program's recent tradition of success on the national stage. 

The final poll was topped by Madonna University (Mich.), which finished the season with a 52-4 record and all 14 first-place votes. Southeastern University (Fla.) moved up to second, followed by Our Lady of the Lake University (Texas), Indiana Wesleyan University, and Southern Oregon University to round out the top five. Cumberlands finished the year ranked eighth nationally following its fourth consecutive trip to the NAIA Softball World Series. 

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