Softball Splits Opening Day of UNCW Tournament

Friday, February 6

Wilmington, NC

1:30 PM

George Washington University

0-1

Kennesaw State

0-2

George Washington

Kennesaw State

2/6/2026 10:50:00 PM | Softball

Box Score 1 Box Score 2

WILMINGTON, N.C. – The George Washington softball team finished 1-1 on Opening Day of the 2026 season, picking up a thrilling 7-6 win over Kennesaw State in extra innings before falling to host UNCW, 9-2, in the nightcap.

GW 7, Kennesaw State 6 (Nine Innings)
The Buff & Blue jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in the second inning. Emma Fales tallied the team's first two RBI of the season, ripping a bases-loaded single into right field. Scoring on the play were Emi Todoroki and Paige Hayward.

Despite not earning the win, Cece Smith was stellar in the circle. Smith tossed 6.2 shutout innings, but a Kennesaw State two-run homer in the seventh sent GW into its bullpen and sent the game to extra innings.

GW's bats came alive in extras, retaking the lead via a two-RBI double from Sydney Hogue. Scoring on the play were Ashley Corpuz and Hayward, giving the Buff & Blue a 4-2. The lead didn't last, as Kennesaw State tallied two runs of its own in the eighth, pushing the game to the ninth inning.

GW's Reese Ferrel put the Buff & Blue back on top in the ninth, plating two on a double down the right field line. Daniella Lew and Jazlene Ramos crossed home on the play. One batter later, Todoroki extended the Revolutionaries' lead to 7-4, reaching on an error by the Owls. Scoring on the play was Ferrel, while Corpuz was thrown out at third base on the play.

Kennesaw State threatened with two runs of its own in the home half of the ninth, but Sophia Torreso struck out three of the last four batters to seal the win. Torreso earned the victory on the mound after tossing 2.1 innings in relief, punching out four batters. Smith finished at 6.2 innings pitched, striking out two in the no-decision.

The win was a milestone for first-year Head Coach Matt Klampert, who earned his first victory at the helm of the program after taking over in August.

The Revolutionaries' offense was led by Fales, who finished 1-for-3 with two RBI, while Reese went 1-for-1 in a pinch-hit scenario with two RBI and a run scored. Hogue also tallied two RBI, while Hayward tallied two runs scored.

UNCW 9, GW 2
After UNCW jumped out to a 3-0 lead across the first three innings, GW found the scoreboard in the top of the fourth. Hayward continued her solid Opening Day with an RBI double to deep center field, scoring Todoroki. Isabella Ruby followed it up with a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Hogue to pull GW within one at 3-2.

Despite the momentum, UNCW poured on six more runs over the next three innings, securing a 9-2 win. GW's Chloe Green tossed all six innings in the circle, finishing with three strikeouts.

The Buff & Blue are back in action Saturday, facing Appalachian State (10:00 a.m.) and UNCW (3:00 p.m.) for day two of the UNCW Tournament. Tomorrow's matchup with the Seahawks will be carried live on FloCollege.