EVANSVILLE, Ind. – University of Evansville head softball coach Bailey Dillender has announced that the 2025 Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year has transferred to the Purple Aces squad.  Wilkins played for Dillender at the University of the Cumberlands last season.
 
Maliyah Wilkins – 1B/3B – Mount Juliet, Tenn.
 
Maliyah Wilkins joins Coach Dillender after playing for her as a freshman in 2025 at Cumberlands.  The Mid-South Conference Freshman of the Year was an NAIA Third Team All-American and was recognized by the NFCA as a First Team All-Region player.  Playing in all 49 games, Wilkins led the Patriots with 10 home runs while adding 49 RBI and a .691 slugging percentage.  She batted .367 on the season and tallied a season-high three hits against Georgetown.
 
Prior to her college career, Wilkins played at Green Hill High School where she completed her four seasons with a total of 46 home runs.  The 2022 Offensive Player of the Year was named to the All-District and All-Tournament team on multiple occasions.  Her top campaign came in 2022 where she batted .505 with 19 home runs, 52 RBI, and 38 runs scored.
 
Coach Dillender on Wilkins – "Maliyah was FOY in the MSC last year putting out incredible offensive numbers and hitting in our 4 hole. She was also named an NAIA and NFCA All American as a true freshman, which was our first in program history: Her power and approach make her such a threat and i look forward to watching her continue to develop offensively."