Ohio Valley Conference

DELAND, Fla. - The University of Tennessee at Martin softball team lost both of its games to start the 2026 season Friday as part of the Frank Griffin Classic hosted by Stetson in DeLand, Florida. The Skyhawks dropped their season opener to Indiana State, 3-0, in the first game of the day, then fell again to the host Hatters in their second game, 12-4, in five innings.

Game 1 – Indiana State 3, UT Martin 0
In the opener, the Skyhawks pounded out nine hits, but could not get a run across the plate. The game was scoreless for the first three innings until Indiana State's Mallory Chavez went yard to make it 1-0 in the bottom of the fourth. In the fifth, the Sycamores tacked on two more runs with a two-RBI single from Addie Burns to cap the scoring at three.

Avary Makarewicz, Karena Recrosio and Carly Ward each went 2-for-3 in the opener, with Makarewicz also tallying a double and Recrosio drawing a walk.

Sami Scholtz took the loss in the circle for UT Martin, allowing three runs on six hits with one strikeout over two innings. Natalie Kreuziger started the game for the Skyhawks and gave up no runs on just two hits with two strikeouts over the first three innings. Kaytie Chandler closed out the game and gave up no runs or hits with one strikeout in the seventh.

Game 2 – Stetson 12, UT Martin 4 (5 Innings)
In its second game of the day, UT Martin once again had little trouble hitting the ball, but again, had trouble scoring runs. The Skyhawks out-hit their opponent once again, this time 11-9, but the Hatters were able to capitalize on their hits at a higher rate.

UT Martin got on the board first in the game when Teagan Hayes scored Dylan Scott from first base on a triple to make it 1-0. The Hatters answered in the second with an RBI single to knot the game at one. The Skyhawks quickly took back the lead in the top of the second with their own RBI single from Makarewicz. However, Stetson answered with a grand slam in the fourth and five-run fifth that built a lead that proved to be insurmountable for UT Martin.

Hayes, Makarewicz, Recrosio and Kyla Harley all went 2-for-3 in the game with Hayes, Makarewicz and Recrosio each driving in a run. Hayes also had a double and a triple in the game, while Makarewicz got her second double of the young season.

HOWARD 6, TENNESSEE TECH 3
CAMPBELL 6, TENNESSEE TECH 2
BUIES CREEK, N.C. - The Tennessee Tech softball team was able to get some hits on the opening day of the season, but just couldn't string them together at the right time as the Golden Eagles fell 6-3 to Howard and 6-2 to host Campbell on the first day of the Campbell Stampede.

The Golden Eagles (0-2) face the same two teams on Saturday as Tech takes on Howard at 11:30 AM and Campbell at 4:30 PM.

Olivia Evans went 3-for-5 on the day while drawing three walks, while Abbee Klinefelter went 3-for-7 with a walk as both Tech sluggers led the way in hits and both drove in a run. Ashley Capelouto drove in two runs as she went 2-for-7 at the plate, both in the morning contest against the Bison.

In all, the Golden Eagles were able to collect 13 hits in the two games, but were held to five total runs.

Emily York took the loss in the opener, allowing five runs – three earned – on five hits over the first 3 2/3 innings as she walked three and struck out five. Faith Rush came on in relief, allowing one run on seven hits, walking two and striking out two.

Howard struck twice in the first with a run on a wild pitch, then a throwing error on a stolen base attempt allowed the second to cross. Tech cut the deficit in half as a wild pitch with the bases loaded allowed Alina Schlageter to score.

An outfield error brought in a Bison run in the third, then Howard struck for two more in the fourth as a triple brought one in, then a double steal allowed Lauryn Jones to swipe home to make it 5-1. The Bison repeated the double steal as Maryn Jordan scored from third as Wisdom Colbert took second.

With Howard's scoring completed, the Golden Eagles tried for a rally as Capelouto drove in Klinefelter from first with a double up the middle in the fifth. Capelouto picked up her second RBI in the bottom of the seventh, driving in Bailee Stack before Howard was able to get the last out to secure the victory.

Julia Holt claimed the victory for the Bison in relief as she threw the final five frames, allowing two runs – one earned – on four hits, walking one and striking out five.

Campbell tagged the Golden Eagles early in the second game as the Camels struck for four runs in the bottom of the first with a knock to third driving in one, a bases-loaded walk for the second, then a two-run single to center field.

Tech answered as Evans brought Schlageter home in the third with a double to left center to make it 4-1. However, the Camels' Allyiah Swiney went deep with a 1-1 pitch to deep center for a solo shot to make it 5-1 in the fourth.

Both teams scored their final runs of the game in the fifth as Klinefelter singled in Stack, but Campbell got an RBI grounder from Grace Kealy to drive in Charlie Montgomery.

Lainey Fitzgerald took the loss, going the first two-thirds of an inning with four runs allowed on three hits with three walks and a strikeout. Addison Abell went the remainder, allowing two runs on four hits with a walk.

LINDENWOOD 8, NICHOLLS 2
ALABAMA STATE 6, LINDENWOOD 5
MONTOGEMRY, Ala. - Lindenwood softball (1-1) split their first two games of the 2026 season on Friday during the Alabama State University Tournament in Montgomery, Alabama. The Lions picked up an 8-2 victory to start the day against Nicholls followed by a loss against the host school by a final of 6-5.

Game 1 - Lindenwood 8, Nicholls 2

The Lions' offense exploded in the first game for eight runs, marking their most runs scored to start a season since 2020 when they scored 11 against Western New Mexico. Lindenwood added 15 hits on their way to their first win of the season.

Senior pitcher Ryleigh Owens picked up the win in the circle after throwing 4.0 innings allowing two runs on four hits with three strikeouts. Avery Wapp came in relief of Owens and tossed 2.2 innings of scoreless ball with four strikeouts.

Lindenwood's scoring began in the second inning after the Lions posted five runs on five hits. After Emily Geary started the inning with a double and was followed by Kylee Crowder with a single, freshman Karter Skillman and Anna Sanders posted back-to-back RBI singles to give the Lions the early 2-0 lead.

Madison Noll added an RBI groundout while Tori Hatton concluded the inning with a two RBI double off the wall to put Lindenwood ahead 5-0. Owens pitched a shutout second inning to maintain the lead. 

A scoreless third inning led to the Lions adding a run in the fourth. With runners on first and third, Hatton laid down a sac bunt to the pitcher to score Dallis Darnell from third. Nicholls would score two in the inning to cut into the lead 6-2.

Sanders and Darnell added two insurance runs in the top half of the seventh giving the Lions an 8-2 advantage. Wapp and Ava Risum closed out the seventh inning securing the Lions' first win of the season.

Game 2 - Alabama State 6, Lindenwood 5

Lindenwood suffered a 6-5 loss during their second game of the tournament against Alabama State. The Lions scored five runs on eight hits with one error while ASU posted six runs on 10 hits.

Molly Heidrick started the game for the Lions tossing 2.1 innings allowing two runs on three hits. Risum came in during the third inning finishing the game throwing 3.2 innings allowing two runs on six hits.

Alabama State scored two runs in the second inning to take an early lead on the Lions. Lindenwood's offense bounced back in the fourth inning scoring all five runs on six hits. Four different Lions posted an RBI in the inning including two from Hatton.

After a Geary single, Crowder drove in the Lions' first run of the game. With the bases loaded Darnell hit a sac fly tying the game at 2-2. Teryn Brown (1) and Hatton (2) closed out the inning with back-to-back hits putting the Lions ahead 5-2.

Heading into the bottom of the seventh leading 5-4, Owens walked the first two batters of the inning. Jalese Hays came in relief for Owens. After a groundout to advance the runners, ASU scored on a wild pitch to tie the game. The Hornets eventually walked off the Lions with an RBI single to center field, finishing the game with a final score of 6-5.

WESTERN KENTUCKY 11, EASTERN ILLINOIS 1  (5)
GEORGIA SOUTHERN , EASTERN ILLINOIS 
STATESBORO, Ga. - Eastern Illinois softball got outdoors for the first time this spring on Friday opening the 2026 season at the Battle in the Boro Tournament with a pair of opening day losses.  EIU fell to Western Kentucky 11-1 in the season opener before a 12-4 loss to host Georgia Southern.

WKU 11, EIU 1 (5 inn).
In the season opener for Eastern Illinois, Western Kentucky jumped out of the gates with five runs in the first before finishing with an 11-1 win.

Kennedy Stinson had a two run double and Charlotte Herron added a two-run home run for the big Hilltoppers hits in the first inning against EIU starter Karlie McKenzie (0-1).

Trailing 9-0 in the third, EIU put a run on the board with the first collegiate home run by Hillary Springer.  Springer was one of four Panthers with hits in the opener, joined by Mo Hance, Abbi Hatton and Sophia Olman with singles.

Western Kentucky improved to 2-0 with the win after an earlier win over UNC Greensboro in the tournament.  Maddy Wood (1-0) picked up the win.  Morgan Sharpe had three hits for WKU.
 
GA SOUTHERN 12, EIU 4 (6 inn).
In the night cap for the Panthers, EIU cut into a 5-0 Georgia Southern lead in the top of the sixth inning only to see the host Eagles plate seven runs in the bottom of the inning for the 12-4 win.

Bryanna French (0-1) pitched into the fourth for EIU before Kyla Maxwell was able to break the scoreless game with an RBI to shallow right field.  Braelyn Queen made it 2-0 with a sacrifice fly in the inning.

Georgia Southern (2-0) pushed the lead out to 5-0 with Payton Cushman's two run double in the fifth.

Eastern Illinois (0-2) battled back in the top of the sixth as Emily Konkel scored an unearned run to start the scoring.  Alisha Frederick came home to score on an infield hit by Mo Hance for the second Panthers run before Lizzie Stiverson delivered a two-run single to center.

The Panthers had seven hits in the game with Hillary Springer providing the lone extra base hit with a pinch hit double, her second extra base hit of the day.

In the bottom of the sixth, Georgia Southern started their big rally innocently enough with an RBI single to shallow left field.  The scoring ended with a three-run home run by Delanie Thames and a solo homer by Cushman to end the contest.

Bailey Holland (1-0) picked up the save with Shaylin Stringer getting a save by closing out the Panthers threat in the sixth.

UAB 10, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 2  (6)
SOUTHERN MISSISSIPPI 8, SOUTHEAST MISSOURI 0  (5)
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Southeast Missouri (0-2) dropped a pair of shortened games in the first day of the Black & Gold Challenge Friday on the opening day of the 2026 softball season.
 
SEMO fell to UAB, 10-2, in six innings and tournament host Southern Mississippi, 8-0, in five frames.
 
UAB scored nine unanswered runs to get by SEMO in the first-ever meeting between the teams.
 
The Redhawks took the game's first lead when Madison Winkler drove in Brittany Affolter for her team's first run of the season. Winkler scored on an ensuing groundout by Aubrie Shore to put SEMO ahead, 2-0, in the top of the third inning.
 
UAB added its first tally to make it a one-run game in the bottom of the third and followed that up with three runs in each of the next three frames to get its first win of the season in a shortened six-inning contest.
 
Winkler and Lamar University transfer Raigan Brannon both had a hit for SEMO.
 
Maddie Carney (0-1) took the loss in the season-opener, allowing seven runs on 11 hits in 4.1 innings. Carney struck out four and walked two, as well.
 
Olivia Cummings (1-0) struck out four and gave up a pair of runs on just two hits in her complete game win. 
 
Aided by five walks, USM scored three runs in the bottom of the second inning and sent 10 hitters to the plate as part of a four-run third inning to take a 7-0 lead.
 
SEMO's best opportunity came when it loaded the bases in the top of the fourth. The Golden Eagles, however, escaped the jam.
 
With a runner on third and one out in the bottom of the fifth, USM ended the game with a RBI-single by Kayce Bennett.
 
Winkler led the Redhawks going 2-for-3 at the top of the lineup.
 
Willow Van Haren (0-1) gave up seven runs on eight hits and walked six in her first start of the season.
 
Kayla Giardina (1-0) pitched a complete game three hit shutout with two strikeouts and two walks allowed.

IDAHO STATE 9, SIUE 1  (5)
FRESNO STATE 8, SIUE 0  (5)
FRESNO, Calif. - SIUE softball dropped a pair of games on day one of the 2026 season, falling to Idaho State 9-1 and host Fresno State 8-0. Both games went five innings.

Day two of the Fresno State Tournament features a rematch with those two teams with a 3 p.m. CT matchup against Idaho State and a 5 p.m. CT contest against Fresno State.

Ashley Duran provided the big bat in Friday's opener. The Cougar cleanup hitter blasted a solo home run against Idaho State.

SIUE concludes the Fresno State Tournament Sunday against Idaho State.

Juztyne Torres and Arissah Garza also had hits in game one. Abby Harvell provided the Cougars' offense against Fresno State.

Mia Volpert took SIUE's loss in game one while Haley Strain suffered the loss in game two.

OAKLAND 12, WESTERN ILLINOIS 0  (5)
ROSEMONT, Ill. - Western Illinois softball opened play at the Rosemont Tournament Friday evening with a 12–0 loss to Oakland inside the Rosemont Dome.

Oakland jumped out quickly in the top of the first inning, using a grand slam to take a 4–0 lead. The Golden Grizzlies continued to apply pressure in the second, scoring three more runs on a run-scoring single and a two-run triple to extend the advantage to 7–0.

The Leathernecks were limited offensively throughout the contest, managing three hits against Oakland pitcher Kenna Bommarito, who went the distance and struck out seven. Kam Utendorf, Ruby Tarr and Addie McLaughlin each recorded a hit for Western Illinois, while Tarr and Maria Luna accounted for the team's two walks.

Oakland added a run in the fourth before pulling away in the fifth inning, scoring four runs to bring the final to 12–0. The Golden Grizzlies capitalized on a pair of Western Illinois errors in the final frame, with two of the runs coming unearned.

Lillie Wools got the start in the circle for Western Illinois and worked 1.2 innings. Audrey Clark followed with 3.1 innings of relief, allowing just two earned runs while striking out three and holding Oakland scoreless in the third inning.