MANSFIELD, TX – The East Central University softball team opened the 2026 season at the Lone Star Classic on Friday and Saturday, battling cold temperatures and strong regional competition during the two-day tournament.
 
The Tigers faced a tough slate to begin the weekend, coming up just short in matchups against Rockhurst University, Emporia State and Cameron University. Despite the challenging conditions, ECU showed resilience throughout the tournament, closing it out on a high note with a 7–6 victory over Drury University, securing its first win of the season.
 
The win also marked a milestone moment for the program, as it was the first career head coaching victory for Autumn Wyatt. The Tigers will look to carry that momentum forward as they continue nonconference play Feb. 6–7 at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic in Bentonville, Arkansas.
 
Game 1 | ECU vs. Rockhurst | 6–7 (8 Inn.)
ECU rallied from an early 3–0 deficit and battled through extra innings before falling 7–6 to Rockhurst. The Tigers used a three-run fourth inning, highlighted by a two-run home run from Kennedy Lord, to even the score, then took their first lead in the fifth on an RBI single by Elyse LeClair. After Rockhurst regained the advantage in the sixth, LeClair delivered again with a game-tying RBI in the seventh to force extras. ECU continued to fight in the eighth, cutting the deficit to one on an RBI double by Haley Kruger, but ultimately came up just short with a final punchout in the season opener.
 
Elyse LeClair led the Tigers offensively, going 2-for-4 with two RBIs, while Kennedy Lord added a key two-run home run in her first game as a Tiger. Haley Kruger also had a strong showing with two hits and an RBI in her ECU debut, and Lillian Bacon chipped in an RBI in her collegiate debut as ECU totaled eight hits in the game.
 
Amera Garner got the start, giving up three runs over three innings with two strikeouts, followed by Brooklyn Charnock, who pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four runs and striking out four. Bailey Melton closed the game, tossing two-thirds of an inning with one strikeout and no runs allowed.
 
Game 2 | ECU vs. Emporia State | 0–8 (6 Inn.)
Emporia State used a five-run second inning to take control early as ECU was held scoreless in an 8–0 loss in the Tigers' final game of day one at the Lone Star Classic. Sara Camplain recorded a first-inning single, and Rylynn Truett added a hit in the sixth, but ECU was unable to generate a scoring threat against the Hornets.
 
Bailey Melton got her first start as a Tiger in game two, giving up five runs over two innings with two strikeouts. Addison Hughes came in relief for a third of an inning, while Bradi Odom made her collegiate debut, pitching the final three innings and allowing three runs while recording two strikeouts.
 
Game 3 | ECU vs. Cameron | 2–3
ECU fell 3–2 to Cameron in the first game of day two at the Lone Star Classic. The Aggies scored two early runs in the first and added a solo home run in the third, while the Tigers battled back with RBI singles from Kenni Tudor and Hannah Whitaker in the fifth and sixth innings to trim the deficit to one. Despite the comeback, they came up just short, unable to tie the game or take the lead in the seventh.
 
Hannah Whitaker led the offense with two doubles and an RBI, while Elyse LeClair added a double, and Kenni Tudor recorded a hit and an RBI.
 
ECU's pitching kept the game close, allowing three runs on seven hits. Bradi Odom got her first start in the circle and gave up three runs over three innings with four strikeouts, while Brooklyn Charnock followed with four scoreless innings and three strikeouts.
 
Game 4 | ECU vs. Drury | 7–6
ECU closed out the Lone Star Classic with a 7–6 win over Drury. The Tigers came from behind after trailing 1–0, scoring three runs in the sixth inning on RBI hits from Brooklyn Charnock, Kennedy Lord and Rylynn Truett. ECU added four more runs in the seventh, highlighted by contributions from Hannah Whitaker, Kennedy Lord and Lillian Bacon. Drury threatened with a late rally, scoring five runs in the bottom of the seventh, but ECU held on to secure the victory.
 
Kennedy Lord led the way with three hits and two RBIs, while Hannah Whitaker scored twice and added an RBI. Lillian Bacon had a hit and two RBIs, Brooklyn Charnock and Rylynn Truett each recorded a hit and an RBI, and Nevaeh Richmond-Huzarevich added a hit and scored twice. Elyse LeClair also contributed a hit, helping the Tigers total eight hits and seven runs.
 
ECU's pitching staff held strong in the final game against Drury. Amera Garner earned the win, tossing six innings and allowing four runs on eight hits with three strikeouts. Chloe Williams pitched a third of an inning, giving up two runs, and Bailey Melton closed out the game for her first save, tossing two-thirds of an inning without allowing a run.