The Ecclesia College Royals capped off a historic 2026 regular season in dominant fashion, sweeping a three-game conference series over Calvary University to finish the year at 33-9 overall—the best record in the National Christian College Athletic Association.
Ecclesia's consistency all season long carried into the final weekend, as the Royals executed in all phases—pitching, timely hitting, and relentless pressure on the basepaths. The series victory also secured a 16-5 conference record, locking up the Central Southwest Conference Championship for the second straight year.
From the opening game, Ecclesia set the tone offensively, stringing together quality at-bats and forcing Calvary's pitching staff into difficult situations. The Royals' aggressive identity on the bases remained a defining factor, consistently turning singles into scoring opportunities and putting defenders under pressure.
On the mound, Ecclesia delivered key performances throughout the series. The pitching staff limited damage, worked efficiently, and kept Calvary from building momentum in crucial innings. Combined with solid defensive play, the Royals maintained control across all three games to secure the series win.
This season has been defined not only by wins, but by record-breaking production. Ecclesia officially set a new NCCAA single-season stolen base record with 239, a testament to the team's speed, preparation, and attacking mindset.
Individually, the Royals also stood out on the national stage. Keenan Hunter led the entire country with 40 stolen bases, while KJ Merriweather and CJ Price each recorded 35 stolen bases, tying for third nationally. The trio anchored one of the most dangerous base-running units in the nation and played a pivotal role in Ecclesia's offensive success all year long.
With the regular season complete, Ecclesia now turns its attention to postseason play. The Royals have officially clinched the No. 1 seed in the NCCAA Central Region Tournament for the second consecutive season, positioning themselves for another deep run.
The Regional Tournament will be hosted by Mission University from May 7–9, featuring top programs from across the NCCAA Central Region. Entering as the top seed and one of the hottest teams in the country, Ecclesia will look to carry its momentum into the postseason and continue a season that has already cemented itself as one of the best in program history.
