MANSFIELD, Texas – The Washburn Ichabod softball team opened the 2026 season going 1-1 on the first day of the Lone Star Classic, picking up a big win in the opener before falling 6-5 in a heartbreaker in game two. Washburn returns to action, facing Cameron at 4:15 pm on Saturday on day two of the event.
 
Game 1 – WU 8, Texas Woman's 2
Washburn opened the 2026 season with an 8–2 victory over Texas Woman's on Friday afternoon at the Fields at Station in Mansfield, Texas, using a five-run second inning and steady pitching to control the game throughout.

Texas Woman's struck first in the top of the second inning when Malarie Medina launched a solo home run to left-center, but Washburn answered immediately and decisively in the bottom half. After Kierra Goos reached and advanced on a pair of defensive miscues, Kate Ediger evened the score with a sacrifice fly. Dalany Anderson followed with a two-run single to center, and Aspen Burgardt capped the inning with a two-run double to right-center as Washburn plated five runs on four hits to take a 5–1 lead.

The Ichabods added on in the fourth inning when Makenzie Sais singled, stole second, and scored on Anderson's RBI single up the middle, pushing the lead to 6–1. Texas Woman's cut into the margin in the fifth with Riley Todd's solo home run to right field, but Washburn again responded in the bottom of the sixth.

Sais reached on an infield single, swiped second, moved to third on a wild pitch, and scored on another wild pitch during an Anderson walk. Moments later, Taybor Moss delivered a pinch-hit RBI triple down the left-field line to bring home Burgardt and make it 8–2.

Washburn finished with 13 hits and scored eight runs despite committing one error, while Texas Woman's was limited to six hits. Sais went 3-for-4 with three runs scored and two stolen bases, while Anderson drove in three runs and reached base three times. Burgardt added a 3-for-3 day with two RBIs and a double, and Moss chipped in an RBI triple off the bench. Ediger also drove in a run with a sacrifice fly.

In the circle, Sadie Walker earned the win after allowing two runs on four hits over six innings, striking out three and walking one. Jenna Sprague tossed a scoreless seventh to close it out. Texas Woman's starter Faith Drissel took the loss after surrendering eight runs, three earned, over 5.2 innings.
Washburn opened the season 1-0, while Texas Woman's fell to 0-2.

Game 2 – SNU 6, Washburn 5
Washburn jumped out early and carried a five-run lead into the seventh inning, but Southern Nazarene erupted for six runs in the final frame to hand the Ichabods a heartbreaking 6–5 loss Friday afternoon at the Fields at Station in Mansfield, Texas.

Washburn struck first in the second inning. Danielle Schlader opened the frame with a walk and Kate Ediger followed with a single to center. After a sacrifice bunt moved both runners up, Makenzie Sais delivered the first big swing of the game, lining a two-run single to left to score Schlader and Ediger for a 2–0 advantage.

The Ichabods added to the lead in the fifth. Aspen Burgardt and Madi Moore drew walks before Schlader reached again, loading the bases with two outs. Ediger came through with an RBI single through the left side, scoring Burgardt and pushing the margin to 3–0.

In the top of the seventh. Ediger ripped a double to deep right field and Maddie McGee followed by launching a two-run homer down the right-field line, extending the lead to 5–0. Southern Nazarene, however, responded with a rally in the bottom of the seventh. After reaching on an error to start the inning, the Crimson Storm cut into the lead with a two-run home run by Quinlyn Johnson. Kristen Mullendore followed moments later with another two-run homer to left center, trimming the deficit to one. An RBI single by Abby Wood tied the game at 5–5, and Ella Sottile delivered the walk-off hit, a single through the right side that brought home the winning run.

Ediger led Washburn offensively, going 3-for-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. McGee finished 2-for-3 with a double, a home run and two RBIs, while Sais drove in two runs and added a stolen base. Washburn totaled six hits and drew nine walks but stranded 11 runners.

In the circle, Kierra Goos was dominant through five scoreless innings, allowing four hits while striking out five. Jenna Sprague took the loss after being charged with six runs in the seventh.

Southern Nazarene finished with 11 hits, including home runs from Johnson and Mullendore. Johnson went 2-for-4 with a triple, a homer and two RBIs, while Mullendore added a two-run blast of her own as part of the decisive seventh-inning surge.

Washburn fell to 1-1 on the season, while Southern Nazarene evened its record at 1-1 with the comeback victory.