Hallie (pronounced Hal-lee) Blackney enters her ninth season as the head coach of the Lions with a 253-140-1 record at the helm heading into 2027.
Blackney and the MSSU staff were named the 2026 MIAA Coaching Staff of the Year and the 2026 ATEC/NFCA Division II Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year. She became the second coach in MSSU program history to eclipse 200 career wins during the 2026 season.
Blackney was previously tabbed the 2021 MIAA Coach of the Year. She became the third coach in MSSU program history to eclipse 100 wins during the 2023 season.
2026
In 2026, Blackney led Missouri Southern to the most successful season in program history, finishing with a program-best 54-10 record and capturing the MIAA Regular-Season Championship, MIAA Tournament Championship, NCAA Division II Central Regional 1 Championship and NCAA Division II Central Super Regional Championship. The Lions advanced to the NCAA Division II Women's College World Series for the third time in program history and first time since 1992, while also earning their first World Series victory since 1992.
Southern went 20-4 in MIAA play, earning its first regular-season conference championship since 2001. The Lions then captured the MIAA Tournament title for the first time since 2001 before winning their third NCAA Regional championship and first-ever NCAA Super Regional championship. The Lions climbed as high as No. 3 in the NFCA Coaches Poll, the highest national ranking in program history in the NFCA online records era, and finished the regular season ranked fifth nationally.
Blackney registered her 200th career victory in January and her 250th victory at Missouri Southern during the NCAA Central Regional championship-clinching win over Southern Arkansas on May 16. She is the second coach in MSSU history to eclipse 200 career wins.
The coaching staff of Blackney, associate head coach Lexi Kinnaird and graduate assistant Caitlyn Wells was named the 2026 MIAA Coaching Staff of the Year and the 2026 ATEC/NFCA Division II Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year.
Under Blackney's leadership, MSSU produced two NFCA All-Americans, four NFCA/D2CCA Central All-Region selections and 10 All-MIAA honorees. Kiki Pickens was named MIAA Pitcher of the Year for the second consecutive season, while Emily Davis earned MIAA Freshman of the Year honors. Pickens and Bailey Dillon were named NFCA First Team All-Region, with both earning All-American honors, while Davis and Katie Gray were named Second Team All-Region.
The Lions also excelled academically and in the community during the 2025-26 academic year. Missouri Southern posted a 3.813 team GPA, ranking second among all NCAA Division II softball programs and 11th nationally across NCAA Divisions I, II and III, NAIA and junior colleges. The Lions recorded a 3.87 GPA during the Spring 2026 semester, including 10 student-athletes with perfect 4.0 GPAs, and completed more than 342 hours of community service. Twelve Lions earned Easton/NFCA All-America Scholar-Athlete honors.
The program also produced two College Sports Communicators Academic All-Americans in 2026, as Bailey Dillon and Carsen Tinkler were both named to the Second Team. They became Missouri Southern softball's first Academic All-Americans since Abi Corbett in 2018 and the 14th and 15th Academic All-Americans in program history. Tinkler graduated with a 4.0 undergraduate GPA and maintained a 4.0 GPA while pursuing her master's degree, while Dillon earned a 3.96 GPA as an Exercise Science major.
Besides 2026 CSC Academic All-American honors, Tinkler boasted the top GPA in both MIAA softball and at the 2026 NCAA Division II Women's College World Series to earn both 2026 MIAA Softball's "A Game" Scholar-Athlete award and 2026 NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete award.
2025
In 2025, Blackney led the Lions to a 39-19 mark and an NCAA Regional Championship appearance, its best finish on the field since 1998. MSSU completed the campaign ranked 24th in the final NFCA rankings.
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MSSU went 16-8 in MIAA play for the fourth seed in the league tournament. The Lions picked up a 9-5 win over No. 5 seed Central Missouri before facing top seeded Central Oklahoma in the MIAA Championship Semifinals.
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MSSU then was ranked sixth in the Central Region ahead of the NCAA Regional in Magnolia, Arkansas. After dropping an extra-innings contest to No. 3 Augustana to open the Regional, the Lions rattled off back-to-back victories to advance to the Regional Championship game. Southern downed No. 7 Harding, 9-0, in run-rule fashion before capping the day with a 3-0 win over No. 2 Southern Arkansas.
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Five MSSU softball players earned MIAA postseason awards. Kiki Pickens (First Team All-MIAA) was named MIAA Pitcher of the Year, while Bailey Dillon (First Team All-MIAA) took home Freshman of the Year. Katie Gray earned All-MIAA honors along with a Gold Glove award while Kate Thurman and Kylee Jacks earned All-MIAA Honorable Mention laurels.
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Three Lions were named to the All-Region First Team: Kiki Pickens, Katie Gray, and Bailey Dillon. Gray was also named All-American by both the D2CCA (Second Team) and NFCA (Third Team) while Dillon was named a Third Team NFCA All-American.
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2024
In 2024 the Lions posted a 33-22, 12-14 MIAA record for the eighth time winning above .500 of their games for the fifth consecutive season.
In total six Lions earned All-MIAA honors in Jacks (2nd, OF), Amos (2nd, U/P), Nuckolls (2nd, 2B), Vargas (HM, OF), Gray (HM, 1B), and Kiki Pickens being named to the Gold Glove team as an pitcher.
Yazmin Vargas concluded her career by breaking MSSU All-Time stolen bases (130) and runs (167) record while also finishing in the top-10 in hits, triples, walks, batting average and on-base percentage. Kara Amos wrapped up her career as a Lion with numerous top-10 career marks such as doubles, home runs, RBIs, walks, on-base percentage, pitching appearances and strikeouts. Adrianna Young finished her MSSU career tied for fourth in walks (58) and tied for ninth in stolen bases (43).
The Lions set a new stolen base program record with 132 stolen bases in 150 attempts which also led the MIAA. The team had an outstanding year defensively, posting a 0.968 fielding percentage which is second best percentage in program history. The Lions also led the MIAA in hit-by-pitches with 47.
2023
In 2023 the Lions made their first NCAA Regional appearance since 2001 and hosting a regional for only the third time in program history and first time since 1993. Southern posted a 41-15, 21-5 MIAA record for the eighth time winning 40 or more games in a season and set a program record for MIAA wins in a season beating the mark set by the 2021 team.
In total nine Lions earned All-MIAA honors in Vargas (1st, OF), Withers (2nd, 2B), Tofpi (HM, SS), Williams (HM, C), Avery Tallman (HM, P), Emily Perry (HM, OF), Katie Gray (HM, 1B), Kara Amos (HM, UT/P) and Adrianna Young being named to the Gold Glove team as an outfielder. Tallman joined Vargas and Withers as All-Region players as announced by the NFCA with Vargas and Withers being named All-Region by D2CCA and Withers becoming a D2CCA All-American.
Leighton Withers concluded her career by being named an All-American for the programs first All-American in 25 years after tying the program single-season home run record with 11. Yazmin Vargas was an All-MIAA and All-Region (D2CCA & NFCA)Â first-team selection as an outfielder after swiping the second most bases in a single-season with 36.
Josie Tofpi, Bailey Lacy and Ashlynn Williams finished up their careers with numerous top-20 career marks headlined by Tofpi finishing with a program record 147 runs scored, Lacy becoming the third pitcher in program history with back-to-back 100+ strikeout seasons and finished third in career strikeouts with 308, Williams finished tied for sixth in home runs, eighth for OPS, ninth for RBIs and slugging percentage, tied for ninth in walks, 10th in extra base hits and T-10th in putouts for a career.
2022
The 2022 season saw the Lions finish above .500 for the third year in a row and were above .500 in MIAA play for the second year in a row becoming the fifth team since 2000 to have an above .500 winning percentage overall and in conference play while being the first time to go three in a row since the 2000-02 seasons.
The Lions had Leighton Withers and Yazmin Vargas named first team All-MIAA performers while seven overall earned All-MIAA honors. Vargas is now sixth in career steals and finished the 2022 season with a tie for the fourth most runs scored in a single-season. Withers showed off the long ball in 2022 with eight to rank tied for fifth best in a single-season while also chipping in with the a tie for the seventh most RBI's in a season with 42 while slugging .661 the seventh best percentage among qualified hitters in school history.
Josie Tofpi has her name listed in the top-10 for a career in runs, doubles, triples, batting average, slugging percentage, on base percentage and extra base hits after the conclusion of the 2022 season and should make a run at adding her name onto the career lists for games played, at bats, hits, RBIs, total bases, walks and assists.Â
For the second time ever in program history the Lions had two pitchers finish with 100 or more strikeouts in the same season as Bailey Lacy had 119 for the 10th best tally in school history for a single season and eclipsed the 200 career mark and is tied for eighth currently, while Kara Amos finished with 100 and is nearing the 200 strikeout accomplishment. Lacy also finished the season with a 5.92 strikeout per seven inning rate the sixth best in a single-season while moving into fourth in the category among career ranks.
As a team the Lions had 13 named onto the MIAA Academic Honor with Tori Frazier being a recipent of the prestigious MIAA Academic Excellence Award with a 4.0 in biology. The 100 strikeout pitching duo of Kara Amos and Bailey Lacy were named MIAA Scholar-Athletes as both were named All-MIAA and hold a 3.50 or better grade point average.
2021
In 2021, Blackney was named the MIAA Softball Coach of the Year (first since 2001) after the Lions were picked to finish 11th in the preseason poll before eventually finishing in third. The Lions had a 30-15-1 record, the first 30-win season since 2011, and in MIAA play the Lions set a school record for wins going 19-6-1. It was the first back-to-back winning season since 2001-02 and at home the Lions went 17-4-1 the most wins at home since 2011.
As a team the Lions had eight earn MIAA Academic awards, Abby Atkin and Tori Frazier were named onto the prestigious MIAA Academic Excellence Award by having a 4.0 GPA. Atkin, and Makaila Leonhart were named Scholar - Athletes as they had at least a 3.50 GPA or higher and earned All-MIAA honors on the field. Kayla Arzate, Atkin, Frazier, Sidnie Hurst, Leonhart, Lynnlee Parrott, Josie Tofpi and Kristen Wade were named onto the honor for a 3.0 GPA or higher.
Sophomore, Josie Tofpi earned first-team All-MIAA honors at shortstop, freshman pitcher / utility player Kara Amos and sophomore catcher Ashlynn Williams were on the second-team. Senior second basemen Makaila Leonhart, junior pitcher Abby Atkin, sophomore infielder / utility player Leighton Withers, freshman corner outfielders Yazmin Vargas and Adrianna Young were named honorable mentions. Amos, was named a second-team All-Region Utility / Pitcher by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) and was named onto the MIAA All-Tournament team. Tofpi, was named onto the D2CCA Softball All-Central Region second-team as a shortstop as well.Â
Highlights of the 2021 season included beating then #22 Rogers State 5-3 at home, the second win against a ranked team in Blackney's tenure. The first win against Central Missouri in Warrensburg since 2014, first sweep of Washburn since 2011 and Emporia State since 2016. Closed the season on a ten-game home winning streak that included beating Missouri Western four straight times and advanced to the second round of the MIAA postseason tournament for the first time since 2011,Â
2020
In 2020, the Lions finished the COVID-19-shortened season with an 11-9 record. The Lions had 15 players earn a spot on the Academic Honor Roll.
2019
In 2019, Blackney led the Lions to a 19-25 overall record and a 10-16 record in the MIAA. The Lions had 12 players who placed on the MIAA Academic Honor Roll. Southern captured four spots on the All-MIAA squads as senior pitcher Taurean Guzman earned second-team while senior designated player Lexi Ferrari, junior second baseman Makaila Leonhart, and freshman shortstop Josie Tofpi gained honorable mention.
Prior to Southern
Blackney came to Southern after two seasons with Division I George Washington University. In 2018, Blackney helped guide the program to a record 33 wins and a return to the A-10 Championship behind a nationally ranked offense that averaged more than six runs per game. The Colonials set new program bests for batting average (.328), on-base percentage (.394), slugging percentage (.493), hits (493), runs (331), home runs (42), total bases (741), steals (108) and more.
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Thanks to that impressive production, GW equaled a program record with its six A-10 postseason honorees.
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In her first season in 2017, Blackney helped GW to a then-record 28 victories, including 11 in A-10 play. The Colonials set program records for hits (426), batting average (.302), RBI (243), extra-base hits (125), total bases (626), slugging percentage (.444), fewest strikeouts (201) and best fielding percentage (.964).
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Blackney joined the Colonials after serving as assistant coach at the University of South Dakota for three seasons. Blackney coached 15 All-Summit League selections, three NFCA All-Region honorees and one academic All-American for the Coyotes.
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Blackney helped South Dakota amass 72 wins during her tenure and worked primarily with the hitters, leading the squad to a Summit League-record 77 home runs in 2015, ranking 17th nationally.
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Prior to her stint at South Dakota, Blackney helped the Fort Wayne Mastodons in Indiana claim a Summit League Tournament Title to earn a trip to NCAA Regionals during her two years as assistant coach.
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Blackney began her Division I coaching experience at Southeast Missouri State University during the 2011-12 season.
Blackney is a 2008 graduate of Truman State University where she was an All-MIAA utility player. She served as a graduate assistant coach at Division II Bemidji State University from 2009-11.
All-MIAAÂ selections through the years
2026
Kiki Pickens - 1st Team, MIAA Pitcher of the Year, Most Outstanding Player at Tournament, P (2nd-team NFCA & D2CCA All-American, 1st-team All-Region, P by the NFCA and D2CCA)
Emily Davis - 1st Team, Gold Glove Team, MIAA Freshman of the Year, P (2nd-team All-Region, P by the NFCA and D2CCA)
Bailey Dillon - 1st Team, OF (3rd-team NFCA All-American, 2nd-team CSC Academic All-American, 1st-team All-Region, OF by the NFCA and D2CCA)
Katie Gray - 1st Team, 1B (2nd-team All-Region, P by the NFCA and D2CCA)
Taylor Nuckolls, 2nd Team, Gold Glove Team, All-Tournament Team, SS
Carsen Tinkler, 3rd Team, All-Tournament Team, "A Game" Scholar-Athlete, 3B (2nd-team CSC Academic All-American, NCAA Elite Scholar-Athlete)
Maddie Rolfs, Honorable Mention, All-Tournament Team, OF
Gianna Saggese, All-Tournament Team, DH
2025
Kiki Pickens - 1st Team, MIAA Pitcher of the Year,  P (1st-team All-Region, P by the NFCA)
Bailey Dillon - 1st Team, MIAA Freshman of the Year, OF (3rd-team NFCA All-American, 1st-team All-Region, OF by the NFCA)
Katie Gray - 1st Team, Gold Glove Team, INF, (2nd-team D2CCA & 3rd team NFCA All-American, 1st-team All-Region, INF by the NFCA)
Kate Thurman -Â Honorable Mention, UT
Kylee Jacks -Â Honorable Mention, OF
2024
Kylee Jacks - 2nd team, Gold Glove Team, OF
Kara Amos - 2nd team, UT/P
Taylor Nuckolls - 2nd team, 2B
Yazmin Vargas - Honorable Mention, Gold Glove Team, OF
Katie Gray - Honorable Mention, 1B
Kiki Pickens - Gold Glove Team, P
2023
Yazmin Vargas - 1st-team, OF (1st-team All-Region, OF by the NFCA & D2CCA)
Leighton Withers - 2nd-team, 2B (2nd-team All-American, UT by D2CCA, 1st-team All-Region, UT by D2CCA and 2nd-team All-Region, DP by the NFCA)
Avery Tallman - Honorable Mention, P (2nd-team All-Region, P by the NFCA)
Kara Amos - Honorable Mention, UT/P
Katie Gray - Honorable Mention, 1B
Josie Tofpi - Honorable Mention, SS
Emily Perry - Honorable Mention, OF
Ashlynn Williams - Honorable Mention, C
Adrianna Young - Gold Glove, OF
2022
Yazmin Vargas - 1st team, OF
Leighton Withers - 1st team, UT/Non-P
Kara Amos - 2nd team, UT/P
Josie Tofpi - 2nd team, SS
Bailey Lacy - Honorable Mention, P
Ashlynn Williams - Honorable Mention, C
Adrianna Young - Honorable Mention, OF
2021
Josie Tofpi - 1st team, SS (2nd-team All-Region, SS by D2CCA)
Kara Amos - 2nd team, UT/P (2nd-team All-Region, UT/P by NFCA)
Ashlynn Wiliams - 2nd team, C
Makalia Leonhart - Honorable Mention, 2B
Leighton Withes - Honorable Mention, UT/Non-P
Yazmin Vargas - Honorable Mention, OF
Adrianna Young - Honorable Mention, OF
2019
Taurean Guzman - 2nd team, P
Lexi Ferrari - Honorable Mention, DP
Makaila Leonhart - Honorable Mention, 2B
Josie Tofpi - Honorable Mention, SS
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| Year |
Overall |
MIAA |
Postseason |
| 2019 |
19-25 |
10-16 (11th) |
|
| 2020 |
11-9 |
1-3 |
|
| 2021 |
30-15-1 |
19-6-1 (3rd) |
MIAA Coach of the Year
MIAA Tournament Semifinalist |
| 2022 |
26-25 |
14-12 (6th) |
MIAA Tournament Appearance |
| 2023 |
41-15 |
21-5 (2nd) |
MIAA Tournament Championship Appearance
NCAA Regional Appearance |
| 2024 |
33-22 |
12-14 (9th) |
MIAA Tournament Appearance
 |
| 2025 |
39-19 |
16-8 (t-3rd) |
MIAA Tournament Semifinalist
NCAA Regional Championship Appearance |
| 2026 |
54-10Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â Â |
20-4 (Champs) |
MIAA Regular-Season Champions
MIAA Tournament Champions
MIAA Coaching Staff of the Year
Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year
NCAA DII Central Region Champions
NCAA DII World Series Appearance |
| Total |
253-140-1
(.643) |
113-68-1Â |
1x MIAA Regular-Season Championship
1x MIAA Tournament Champions
2x MIAA Coach of the Year
1x Central Region Coaching Staff of the Year
3x NCAA Regional Tournament Appearance
1x NCAA Super Regional Tournament Appearance
1x NCAA DII World Series Appearance
6x MIAA Tournament Appearances
2x MIAA Tournament Championship Appearances |
