Lebanon, IL - The will to win. With seasons, with some careers on the line, it all turns into something special. On Sunday afternoon, the 14th-ranked McKendree University Softball team had their backs against the wall on home turf, battling the Rockhurst Hawks for the eighth time in 2026, this time with elimination at stake, as well as a SuperRegional appearance. While McKendree (46-15) had started behind on the scoreboard in past games, the vibe around Bearcat Field was different this time. Behind a monster 3-hit 6-RBI game from senior Laynee Tapp, an 8-strikeout game from senior Sami Huck, and a last career home at-bat home run from senior Lauren Harris, McKendree Softball made history, taking down Rockhurst (38-21) by a 9-4 final score, capturing the Bearcats' first-ever NCAA Regional Championship.
McKendree did strand a walk in the top of the first, but Sami Huck went to work, drawing a groundout to herself, along with a pair of strikeouts for a harmless first inning.
An emotional moment in the top of the second, as Laynee Tapp took a full count pitch over the center field fence for her first 'over-the-fence' home run (had hit an inside-the-park home run in the GLVC Tournament). Awaiting were her jubilant teammates, and Tapp, tears in her eyes, quickly let them know it was still time to lock in.
Rockhurst answered with an RBI single, but back came the Bearcats. A Trista Moore single, Lauren Harris walk, Jasmine Myers fielder's choice, and Paisley Twait walk loaded the bases. Then, again, came Tapp to the plate. Ahead in the count 3-1, Tapp roped another hit to the gap in right-center. Two crossed the plate, then a third, then, with Tapp standing on second base, the throw in was spiked and an alert Tapp took off, eventually coming all the way home to balloon the lead to 5-1.
In a key momentum grab, the Bearcats turned that offense into a quick defensive inning, capped by stranding a single on a double play between Harris and Myers to keep the lead at four.
The fourth didn't see a large amount of traffic on either side, with the Bearcats going 1-2-3, and Rockhurst stranding a single.
In the top of the fifth, however, more action from McKendree. Harris and Myers drew back-to-back walks, then after an emotional pitching change saw Hawks' senior stalwart Avery Huffman pulled, getting a show of respect from the Bearcat dugout on her way off the field. What followed was a Twait hit by pitch and Tapp fielder's choice RBI to make it a five-run lead.
Rockhurst was still throwing punches. An RBI single cut the McKendree lead to four.
In the top of the sixth, after Sami Huck had singled to center in the last home at-bat of her career, that set the table for another final career home at-bat: Lauren Harris. On a 2-2 pitch, Harris sent the 51st home run of her illustrious career over the center field fence, a moment that coach Heather Tarter, tears in her eyes, told the broadcast afterward that it was something you just can't script.
"I don't know that I can put into words her last at-bat at Bearcat Field being a home run. It was pretty special. She's someone we'll never replace and she's going to be a legend here for many, many years to come," Tarter said.
Huck continued to rack up her strikeout totals with two more in the sixth, as the Bearcats were feeling good going into their final trip to the plate. After Paisley Twait doubled to start things, more poetic results from the seniors, as Laynee Tapp capped off her career day with an RBI single up the middle to put McKendree up seven runs at that point.
With three defensive outs to get, still, Rockhurst wasn't going down without a fight. In fact, down to a pair of 0-2 counts, back-to-back Hawks hit home runs to trim the deficit to five runs. After that, however, the Bearcats shut the door. A groundout and a strikeout at first, then a fly out to Molly Bartz sent the McKendree faithful into absolute jubilation, celebrating the history-making five-run victory.
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM LAYNEE TAPP
On what was different today despite previous early deficits
"Our energy was just unmatched. We were up. It just came down to really wanting to win."
On the emotion she displayed after hitting the home run
"It's all the hard work we've put in and all the early mornings and the long practices. I've had a constant support system and it felt like such a reward after all the work we've put in this year, and I feel like I've had great teammates to help me do it."
SHE SAID IT - QUOTES FROM COACH HEATHER TARTER
On what about the vibes felt different in this game
"I think after the game yesterday, they just decided that what happened last weekend, getting swept by them (Rockhurst) in the conference tournament wasn't going to happen again. They all locked in. They were excited. They were motivated. I knew once we scored first, that would really get us to settle in."
On the moment of Laynee Tapp's home run and where her emotion, the team's emotion, comes from
"I think we just have a very close-knit group. The senior class has been nothing but remarkable. From their leadership, to their focus, to keeping people in check, just focusing on every day as it is."
On the full body of work of her game today
"For LT to step up like that and being a senior, she came up with a plan. She was very confident. She was sitting on a pitch, and she was able to drive it. We were joking before the game that she's only got one and it's an in-the-parker, so she was super excited for that. It really fired the team up."
On what the history-making aspect of this Regional Championship means
"When Lauren Harris signed here four years ago, I knew we could build this program up around her - bring in pitching, bring in defense, bring in offense. Every year, we've gotten a little bit better. This year, being that class's senior year, we've finally been able to capitalize and make a lot of history, but we're not done."
On balancing how close the UIndy regular season series was while realizing its a new round in the postseason
"Well, honestly, I think we're just excited to see someone other than Rockhurst. (McKendree had played Rockhurst 8 times in 2026 and six times in the last seven games) To get out there and just keep playing and living another day and know that we have more games ahead of us. One day at a time. One pitch at a time. We're just excited to go to Indy."
WHAT'S NEXT FOR THE BEARCATS
2026 Midwest SuperRegional - Game One
vs. (1) UIndy Greyhounds (59-5)
Thursday, May 21st - 12:00 PM CST
at Baumgartner Field - Indianapolis, Indiana
Watch Live (NCAA.com)
Live Stats (NCAA.com)
