LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Head coach Shalee Rodriguez, assistant coaches Bailey McKittrick and Sydney Sherrill, and graduate assistants Kristen Whitehouse and Sammie Greene were recognized by the Athletic Training Equipment Company (ATEC) and the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as the 2026 ATEC/NFCA South Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year.

These quintet of women leading the Oklahoma Christian Eagles softball program were one of eight sets of coaches to receive the Regional Coaching Staff of the Year award, joining Glenville State University (Atlantic), Missouri Southern State University (Central), St. Thomas Aquinas College (East), University of Indianapolis (Midwest), Saint Leo University (South), University of North Georgia (Southeast) and California State University San Marcos (West).

"What an absolute honor, knowing there are a ton of great coaching staffs so deserving in our region," head coach Shalee Rodriguez said. "I absolutely could not do it without my staff - Bailey, Sydney, Kristen and Sammie. They are so deserving of this award, constantly giving back to the program we all love so much. I thank God all the time for blessing me with these women who help me pour into my program day in and day out. I truly can't say thank you enough for them and how much they do for me and our program."

The national honor comes after OC set an NCAA Division II program record with 43 wins (43-16) in 2026, sweeping regional play, including knocking off the region's top overall seed Colorado Christian twice, to advance to the program's second Super Regional in three seasons.

Down in west Texas, the maroon-and-gray took the region's No. 2 seed and No. 6 nationally ranked West Texas A&M to three games, dropping the opener, 6-5, before forcing a game-three with an 8-6 game-two victory. The Eagles remained ranked nationally in the NFCA/GoRout DII Top 25 Coaches Poll all season, reaching as high as No. 12 and finishing the regular season at No. 22.

Statistically, Oklahoma Christian had one of its best seasons in program history, hitting .346 as a team for the second-best single-season team batting average while posting single-season program records in runs (364), hits (571) and RBI (325).

"We are all so competitive and love to win, but more importantly we care deeply about growing and preparing these young women in our program for life beyond softball," Rodriguez said. "This is also a testament to our team and the girls who have bought in and trusted us as their coaches. What an incredible honor and testament to our staff and our program. Glory to God!"

Oklahoma Christian is now eligible for the NFCA Division II National Coaching Staff of the Year award, which will be announced Monday, June 15.