Box Score 1 | Box Score 2 COLUMBUS, Ga.—The Pacific Lutheran University softball team opened their 2026 season splitting games one and two at the NFCA Leadoff Classic Friday evening. In game one a 5-3 victory over College of Saint Benedict Bennies and game two a 7-4 defeat against the NCAA Division III reigning champions Trine University Thunder.

301 days since the last time the Lutes had played an official game against someone other then themselves. 

"For our first games of the season I was impressed with the day," Head Coach Traci Barrett noted. "I was really impressed with the fight we had in game two and please with Paige's presence, poise and dominance inside the circle. Rachel Treves comes off a redeye flight and worked through the lineup. Maiya Anderson came in mid-inning and had her best outing of her career against the National champs. We aren't satisfied and we also didn't quit. Proud of this team."

Paola Garcia got things going in game one with a double to left field. Zoe Smithson would follow with a single through the gap making it 1-0 PLU. Two batters later bases are loaded, Lex Ahlo-Garcia took first after being hit by a pitch bringing in Kamalani Doctor 2-0 Lutes.

Paige Wilson pitched some dominant innings in the circle only with four strikeouts and three walks through the though the bottom of the third. Bennies were able to get one run back on the board to reduce the lead to 2-1. 

PLU's offense would wake up as Jaycie Simpliciano and Bri Sarae would both drive singles in. Doctor would then reach on an error scoring Simpliciano. Smithsong continued the momentum placing a bunt down scoring Serae 4-1 PLU. Doctor then turned on the jets the next play to steal third and would ultimately score on infield error to the Lutes up 5-1.

The Bennies would have one more comeback attempt late scoring two runs, but Wilson along with some strong work from the infield would be too much shutting down the comeback.

Wilson garnered the win in the circle on 7 innings pitched with five hits on five walks and eight strikeouts.

Game two initially started as a defensive battle between both sides as they were feeling each other out in the first couple of innings. The Thunder finally broke through in the top of the 3rd scoring six runs on five hits and two walks.

Anderson would enter the game in the top of the 5th and bring some juice in the circle pitching 2.2 innings of relief with three strikeouts and two walks giving PLU an opportunity to come back.

Ahlo-Garcia had a strong day at the plate going 2-for-3 with two runs, catalyzing the Lutes offense as she would double in the bottom of the fifth, steal third base and score from a Emelia Maza groundout.

Lutes would put up three more runs in the bottom of the 7th to bring the score to 7-4 as Alexis Saladin and Ahlo-Garcia initiated the offense getting on base. Reagan Dale, Sarae and Garcia would bring in the last runs of the game, but the reigning National Champs halted the Lutes comeback.

"Looking forward to continued growth pitch to pitch and another two games tomorrow," Barrett said." All of our pitchers are hungry and ready so we are looking to get more opportunities for them tomorrow."

PLU will return to action tomorrow for day two of the NFCA Leadoff Classic as they take on Stevens Institute of Technology and LaGrange College.