LSUA Hands USAO Season Ending Loss at NAIA Opening Round

CHICKASHA, Okla. – Wednesday afternoon, the No. 1 seeded University of Science and Arts of Oklahoma (48-11, 33-3 SAC) had their season brought to an end with a tough 9-2 loss at the 2026 NAIA Softball Opening Round against No. 2 seed LSU Alexandria (37-17, 23-4 RRAC).

Following a run in the top of the first for LSUA, USAO answered with a run of their own in the bottom half of the inning as Lilyana Portillo drove in Kinzie Williams. After a scoreless second inning, the Generals took a commanding 8-1 advantage with a seven-run rally in the top of the third.

The Drovers scored their final run in the bottom of the fifth as Leighanne Eaton drove in Jordan Ramsay. LSUA scored its final run in the top of the sixth.

The Drover offense produced seven hits and drew three walks, while the Generals tallied seven hits and walked six times. USAO committed a pair of fielding errors, while LSUA was unblemished defensively.

Lakelynn Thompson got the start in the circle for USAO and pitched the opening 2.0 innings, allowing one earned run on two hits, and she struck out three batters. Jayden Anderson made an appearance before Aubree Ferguson pitched the final 5.0 innings, surrendering one earned run on four hits, and she fanned six batters.

The USAO offense was led by a pair of two-hit performances from Maddy Baber and Lexie Lovelace. Baber and Lovelace each went 2-3 with a pair of singles. Kinzie Williams, Malea McMurtrey, and Lilyana Portillo each singled in the season finale.

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