It’s been a statement start to the season for Evangel Valor, and Head Coach Jay Halbrook has his squad rolling with a 26-4 record and a spot firmly inside the NAIA Top 10. Along the way, Halbrook quietly hit a major personal milestone, his 300th career win across baseball and softball, a moment he downplayed but one that speaks volumes about consistency, longevity, and leadership in the dugout.

Head onto the field with Coach Halbrook here:

At the heart of this year’s success is a program built on connection. Halbrook has doubled down on recruiting local talent from across the Ozarks, pulling in athletes from places like Nixa and Springfield to strengthen both roster depth and community engagement. That philosophy is showing up in big ways on the field, with standout performances from players like Kenna Mayfield, who recently set a career stolen base record, along with emotional leader Karli Facklam, whose presence anchors the clubhouse.

In the circle and across the diamond, Evangel’s edge has been fueled by key contributors such as Maddy Meirer, one of the team’s top arms, and senior pitcher Maddi Bentley, a local transfer helping stabilize late-game moments. Competing in the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference after a move from the Heart of America Conference, Halbrook notes the shift has brought a different competitive balance, especially at the lower end of the standings, while still delivering strong rivalries and high-level matchups week after week.

That includes heated conference battles with programs like the Ottawa Braves and Friends University Falcons, matchups that continue to shape the identity of the season. With upcoming doubleheaders against McPherson College and another key showdown with Friends on the horizon, Evangel isn’t just stacking wins, they’re building momentum, identity, and belief in a season that’s quickly turning special.