ARLINGTON, Texas -- After dropping the opener earlier in the day, the Wayland Baptist Pioneers responded in a big way Friday evening, earning a 3-1 victory over Mission University to split their first two games of the 2026 NCCAA Central Regional Championship. The split keeps the Pioneers alive heading deeper into regional play after battling through two very different contests on day one.

Southwestern Christian handed Wayland Baptist a 4-0 loss in the opening game of the tournament despite a strong effort inside the circle from Brooklyn Ray in relief. The Eagles broke through in the second inning before adding three more runs in the third to create separation.

The Pioneers scattered four hits in the opener, with Yaneli Jaramillo leading the offense by going 2-for-3 at the plate. Mikayla Carrillo and Berkley Bradley each added hits as well. Carrillo also stole a base for Wayland Baptist.

After Southwestern Christian pushed across three runs in the third inning, Ray entered in relief and settled the game down for the Pioneers. The freshman tossed 3.1 scoreless innings while allowing just one hit and striking out three batters to keep Wayland Baptist within striking distance.

Despite several late opportunities, the Pioneers were unable to generate the breakthrough inning offensively as Southwestern Christian completed the shutout win.
Wayland Baptist quickly regrouped in the second game against Mission University and delivered one of its most complete performances of the postseason.

Logan Schultz was outstanding in the circle, working six innings while allowing just two hits and one run. Schultz battled through seven walks and repeatedly escaped jams to keep Mission off the scoreboard through six innings. Brooklyn Ray came on in the seventh and shut the door with two strikeouts to earn the save.

The Pioneers finally broke through in the fourth inning when Yaneli Jaramillo singled and later scored following a Mission outfield error and a productive groundout from Kailee Sanchez.

Wayland added to the lead in the fifth when Berkley Bradley launched a solo home run to left field, giving the Pioneers a 2-0 advantage.

The insurance run came in the sixth inning after Sanchez ripped a double to deep right-center and later scored on a sacrifice fly from Reagan Davis-Pena to extend the lead to 3-0.

With the win, the Pioneers will advance to play Dallas Christian College tomorrow at 1:00 PM in Arlington, Texas.