COLUMBUS, Ga.—The Pacific Lutheran University softball team opened its 2026 season on Friday by splitting a pair of games at the NFCA Leadoff Classic. The Lutes won game one 5-3 over the College of Saint Benedict Bennies and fell 7-4 against the reigning NCAA Division III Champion Trine University Thunder. 

Friday marked 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 pleased with Paige's presence, poise, and dominance inside the circle. Rachel Treves comes off a red-eye flight and worked through the lineup. Maiya Anderson came in mid-inning, and had the best outing of her career against the national champs. We aren't satisfied and we also didn't quit. I'm very 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 with the bases loaded, Lex Ahlo-Garcia took first after being hit by a pitch, bringing in Kamalani Doctor to make it 2-0 Lutes. 

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

PLU's offense awoke in the fourth inning with Jaycie Simpliciano and Bri Sarae both driving in runs. Doctor later reached on an error to score Simpliciano. Smithson continued the momentum, scoring Serae on a bunt single to make it 4-1 PLU. Doctor turned on the jets the next play, stealing third and ultimately scoring on infield error to put 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 shut down the comeback.

Wilson garnered the win in the circle, pitching all seven innings, allowing five hits and five walks with eight strikeouts.

Game two against top-ranked Trine started as a defensive battle, with neither team scoring in the first two innings. The Thunder finally broke through in the top of the third, scoring six runs on five hits and two walks.

Anderson would enter the game in the top of the fifth and bring some juice in the circle pitching 2 2/3 innings of scoreless relief with three strikeouts giving PLU an opportunity to come back.

Ahlo Garcia was a catalyst for the Lute offense in the bottom of the fifth, belting a double before stealing third and scoring on a Emelia Maza RBI groundout. 

The Lutes would put up three more runs in the bottom of the seventh, closing the gap to 7-4. Alexis Saladin and Ahlo-Garcia initiated the rally with back to back singles. Reagan Dale, Sarae, and Garcia all drove in runs but the reigning National Champs did just enough to halt the Lutes comeback.

Ahlo Garcia finished two-for-three with two runs scored while Garcia had a pair of hits. 

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

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