BGSU softball (2-0) entered the opening day of the season in Hampton, Virginia, with bats blazing, sweeping their doubleheader matchups to start the 2026 campaign undefeated. The Falcons began the day by rallying from a four-run deficit to defeat Queens 7-5 in the morning opener, followed by a high-scoring 11-9 victory over host Hampton in the afternoon.
The Falcons scored a combined 18 runs across the two victories, a significant offensive outburst to begin the season.
Third baseman Addie Martin anchored the lineup, tallying five RBIs on the day, including a critical two-run double to spark the comeback in game one and a two-run home run in game two. Outfielder Kendall Mathews also delivered in key moments, launching a solo home run against Queens and hitting a game-winning two-run double against Hampton.
Game one vs. Queens
The season opener began as a defensive battle, with neither team finding the scoreboard through the first three innings.
The silence was broken at the bottom of the fourth when disaster struck the Falcons. Queens launched a pair of two-run home runs in the inning, suddenly putting BGSU in a 4-0 hole.
Refusing to fold, the Falcons began their comeback in the sixth inning. Martin delivered a clutch double to left center, driving in two runs to cut the Queens’ lead to 4-2.
The momentum carried into the seventh inning, where the Falcons’ offense exploded for five runs to steal the lead. Mathews led off the frame with a solo home run to center field, bringing the score to 4-3.
Later in the inning, first baseman Taylor Behrendt singled to tie the game, and Martin was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, giving BGSU a 5-4 advantage. Shortstop Cameron Kaufman then provided crucial breathing room with a two-run single to center, capping the rally.
Pitcher Alyvia Roth, who entered in relief in the fourth, secured the win. Despite allowing a solo home run in the bottom of the seventh, she limited the damage to close out the 7-5 victory.
Game two vs. Hampton
Riding the high of their morning comeback, the Falcons started game two fast, putting up two runs in the top of the first inning thanks to a sacrifice fly by second baseman Hannah Hunt and aggressive baserunning that saw Hannah Simko score on a passed ball.
However, the Pirates responded in the bottom of the second, capitalizing on a chaotic inning to score five runs and take a 5-2 lead.
BGSU answered immediately at the top of the third. Martin crushed a two-run home run to right field, cutting the deficit. The Falcons continued to chip away, briefly taking a 7-5 lead in the same inning after an RBI single from center fielder Hanna Massaro and a wild pitch that scored Kaufman.
The game turned into a slugfest, with Hampton reclaiming the lead 8-7 in the bottom of the third and extending it to 9-8 in the fifth.
Trailing late for the second time in the day, the Falcons mounted a decisive rally at the top of the sixth. With runners on base, Mathews doubled to left field, driving in two runs to put BGSU back on top 10-9.
Hunt added an insurance run in the seventh with an RBI single, and Mackenzie Krafcik closed the door in relief, finishing with 4.2 innings of work with six strikeouts to earn the win.
Up Next
The Falcons face a quick turnaround as they return to action tomorrow, Sat., Feb. 7, for a doubleheader in the 1868 Classic. They’ll take on Hampton at 10 a.m., followed by a matchup with Queens at 1 p.m.
