The Central Methodist softball team picked up two NAIA All-American accolades. Fayette native Jordyn Ball and Kelena Oots were recognized by the national office this month. 

Oots was named a NAIA Second Team All-American, while Ball earned Honorable Mention honors.

Ball had a remarkable freshman campaign with the Eagles. She finished the year with a 19-3 overall record through 25 appearances in 24 starts. Ball pitched 20 complete games, including a perfect game against Peru State College on April 22, and was named both the Heart Pitcher and NAIA National Pitcher of the Week as a result.

She led Central’s pitching battery with 175 total strikeouts on the season, finishing the year with a 1.48 earned run average through 147 complete innings of work. For her efforts in conference play, Ball was named a Heart First Team All-Conference selection. She also earned NFCA-NAIA Second Team All-America honors. 

Oots was one of Central’s top offensive weapons in 2023, as she batted .381 on 74 hits, including three doubles and three triples. She also swiped 24 bases this season and drew 16 walks.

The Kansas City native was named the Heart Player of the Year and a Heart First Team All-Conference selection, in addition to being named the Heart Player of the Week on April 4. Oots never missed a game for the Eagles this season, starting every game in center field. The National Fastpitch Coaches’ Association also recognized her as an NFCA-NAIA First Team All-American. 

As a team, the Eagles completed the Heart Regular Season, and Conference tournament sweeps for the second-straight season. Central finished the year with a 42-12 record, a 21-5 mark in conference play, and an opening-round championship of the Henderson Bracket in Henderson, Tenn. For just the fourth time in program history, CMU punched its ticket to the NAIA World Series in Columbus, Georgia.