The Road to Joplin

NAIA Ball and the Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) have partnered for the 2025 season to provide unprecedented coverage of KCAC baseball. Each week, The Road to Joplin article will break down the top eight teams in the KCAC, preview the upcoming weekend slate of games, and highlight one must-watch KCAC series.

Every week, I will give you an honest assessment of where each ball club stands using the team meter:

  • HOT = Playing solid baseball and trending upwards.
  • WARM = Holding steady.
  • COLD = Struggling and in need of improvement.

As of March 4, 2025:

The Joplin Eight

Ottawa (KS) – HOT – 8-2 in the last 10 games
Oklahoma Wesleyan – WARM – 8-2 in the last 10 games
Kansas Wesleyan – HOT – 8-2 in the last 10 games
McPherson (KS) – WARM – 6-4 in the last 10 games
York (NE) – WARM – 5-5 in the last 10 games
Tabor (KS) – WARM – 4-6 in the last 10 games
Bethany (KS) – WARM – 6-4 in the last 10 games
Friends (KS) – COLD – 2-8 in the last 10 games

State of the KCAC

What a wild start to the KCAC season! This past weekend saw Saint Mary (KS) take two of three against McPherson (KS), Southwestern (KS) upset a ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan squad, York (NE) win a series against Tabor (KS), and Friends (KS) push Kansas Wesleyan but ultimately fall short.

The early part of the season has been filled with upsets, and this weekend was no exception. Offense is plentiful across the conference, but pitching has been a challenge for many programs. Several teams remain difficult to evaluate, as they have yet to put everything together consistently.

Take Avila (MO), for example—of their 10 losses this season, they have held a lead in nine. Friends (KS) has lost seven straight, including six consecutive conference games, with three of those losses coming by just one run. Tabor finished February stronger than it started but struggled in the middle of the month. Meanwhile, Saint Mary (KS) secured a massive series win over McPherson.

This season has been all over the place, making the KCAC race wide open. I still feel confident about teams ranked #1-6 for now, but those positions could easily change. Teams #7 and #8 remain up for grabs for any program in the conference. I’m not ready to count out Friends (KS) just yet, but teams need to be wary of Southwestern (KS)—they can surprise you.

It should be a great weekend of KCAC baseball!

KCAC Series This Weekend

  • Ottawa (KS) vs. Sterling (KS)
  • Evangel (MO) vs. Avila (MO)
  • Bethany (KS) vs. Tabor (KS)
  • Southwestern (KS) vs. Friends (KS)
  • McPherson (KS) vs. Kansas Wesleyan

KCAC Series to Watch: #20 Oklahoma Wesleyan vs. York (NE)

Oklahoma Wesleyan is 5-1 all-time against York (NE), with York’s lone win coming two years ago in an 8-5 victory at home. Historically, the Eagles have outscored York 72-26.

While York is just 5-5 in its last 10 games, the team is coming off a huge series win over Tabor and has a prime opportunity to shake up the KCAC standings with a statement series win against a ranked Oklahoma Wesleyan squad. Meanwhile, the Eagles are looking to bounce back from a shocking loss last weekend as they fight to keep pace with Ottawa and Kansas Wesleyan in the conference race.

One of the most exciting matchups to watch will be KCAC batting average leader Ian Heck (.479 AVG) facing off against an Oklahoma Wesleyan pitching staff that boasts a 2.98 ERA. Expect an electric showdown!