Softball Rises to No. 1 in Mid-Major Polls as Week 9 Begins

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – The Belmont University Softball team continues its historic 2026 campaign entering week nine, highlighted by national recognition, a conference series sweep, and record-setting performances in the circle. 

Belmont rose to No. 1 in both the D1 Softball and Softball America Mid-Major Polls, marking a significant milestone for the program as it continues to establish itself among the nation's elite. 

The Bruins (27-9, 14-3 MVC) are coming off a three-game series sweep over Drake, including a shutout victory—the team's 12th of the season and the 10th of the year for ace Maya Johnson. Belmont also secured its seventh run-rule victory of the season with a decisive win in five innings. 

Currently sitting atop the Missouri Valley Conference standings with a .824 winning percentage, Belmont has showcased excellence across all phases of the game. Offensively, the Bruins rank second in the MVC hitting statistics with 175 RBIs, a .299 batting average, and a .388 on-base percentage. 

Defensively, Belmont leads the conference with a .971 fielding percentage, totaling 696 putouts. In the circle, the Bruins have been equally dominant, led by Johnson, who anchors a pitching staff that holds a 2.05 ERA and 364 strikeouts on the season. 

Johnson earned a trio of national and conference honors this week, being named D1 Softball Mid-Major Pitcher of the Week, Missouri Valley Conference Pitcher of the Week (for the eighth time), and NFCA Pitcher of the Week. Her fifth NFCA weekly honor sets a new standard, as she becomes the first Division I player to earn the recognition five times in a single season. 

On the week, Johnson went 2-0 across 14.0 innings, striking out 29 batters while allowing just one earned run and one walk. 

Johnson currently leads the NCAA in strikeouts (265), strikeouts per seven innings (13.9), and ERA (0.53). She tossed her third no-hitter of the season in game one against Drake on April 2, adding to her nation-leading shutout total. 

Earlier this season, Johnson surpassed 1,000 career strikeouts during a doubleheader against Murray State Racers softball (March 24), becoming just the 101st player in NCAA Division I history to reach the milestone. She currently sits at 1,054 career strikeouts and is one of only two active players to do so.