MANSFIELD, Texas — The MSU Denver softball team opened the 2026 campaign with a split on the first day of the Lone Star DII College Classic, falling 6-1 to Southern Arkansas before rallying late for a 4-2 victory over Southern Nazarene. After a quiet offensive performance in the opener, the Roadrunners found their rhythm in the second game, using a three-run surge in the final innings to capture their first win of the season.
Game 1: Southern Arkansas 6, MSU Denver 1
The Roadrunners' offense had a slow start in the season opener, managing just six hits and a single RBI.
Despite the loss, freshman Victoria Pearson stood out in her collegiate debut, reaching base three times from the leadoff spot with a triple and two walks, ultimately scoring MSU Denver's only run.
Junior transfer Shay Cwelich, also making her Roadrunner debut, finished the game 1-for-3 and provided the team's lone run batted in with a sacrifice fly.
In the circle, Natalie Romero got the start and pitched 4.1 innings. While she allowed only two earned runs, she struggled with her command, issuing seven walks before being relieved. Samantha Mader closed out the final 2.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits; Romero was credited with the loss.
Game 2: MSU Denver 4, Southern Nazarene 2
MSU Denver bounced back in the afternoon, fueled by a dominant relief performance and timely hitting from several newcomers.
Samantha Mader started the game and provided three solid innings, allowing two runs on three hits. Freshman Kianna Butler then took over and was lights-out, throwing four shutout innings of relief. Butler allowed just two hits and struck out two batters to secure her first collegiate win in a commanding performance.
The offense gradually wore down Southern Nazarene, led by Cheyenne Prieto's 3-for-4 performance, which included an RBI triple in the fourth inning to get the Roadrunners on the board.
Victoria Pearson continued her strong day by hitting an RBI double in the fifth to tie the game at 2-2.
The breakthrough came in the sixth inning when freshman Neila Lucero drilled an RBI double—her first collegiate hit—to drive in the game-winning run. Natalie Shellhorn added an insurance run later in the frame with an RBI single, while sophomore transfer Zoe Stanzyk finished the game 2-for-3 with a double and two runs scored.
