COLUMBUS, Ga. - [Watch On-Demand] Southeastern (Fla.) used a decisive three-run fifth inning and a complete-game performance from Edan Playa to defeat College of Idaho 3-1, and stay in the winners' bracket of the 2026 NAIA Softball World Series.

For four innings, the game unfolded as a tightly contested pitchers’ duel. College of Idaho (38-21) starter Kina Watts and Playa traded scoreless frames, with neither lineup able to generate sustained offensive pressure.

SEU (49-8) finally broke through in the bottom of the fifth inning. Maria Zelenka reached base and later scored on a pinch-hit RBI single up the middle by Jaidyn Fuller to open the scoring. Moments later, Hailey Bradley delivered an RBI single that brought home Fuller and extended the lead to 2-0. Raylei McKinney capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Abby Franey for a 3-0 advantage.

The Yotes threatened in the seventh inning but could not complete the comeback. Grace Leedom scored the Coyotes’ lone run on a sacrifice fly by Marti Anderson, trimming the deficit to 3-1. Playa responded by closing out the game to secure the complete-game victory.

College of Idaho out-hit Southeastern 7-5, led by Kamryn Ham, who went 2-for-4, and Lena Zahniser, who finished a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate. Watts took the loss after allowing three runs on five hits over 4 1/3 innings, while Drew Williams added 1 2/3 scoreless innings in relief.

Playa earned the win for Southeastern, improving to 18-4 after allowing one run on seven hits with no walks and three strikeouts across seven innings.

Southeastern scored all three of its runs in the fifth inning without recording an extra-base hit, relying on timely execution and situational hitting. Playa’s command in the circle proved equally important, as she did not issue a walk and kept the Coyotes from mounting a larger rally late in the game.