MANSFIELD, Texas (Feb. 1, 2026) - Texas Woman's softball wrapped up their weekend at the DII Lone Star Classic, finishing 1-3 overall after splitting their final two contests on Sunday following an 0-2 start on Friday. The Pioneers faced strong competition throughout the weekend, earning their first win of the season with a 4-1 victory over the University of Missouri–St. Louis before falling 4-3 to Harding in a hard fought finale.
In the first matchup of the day against the Tritons, UMSL jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Texas Woman's responded by capitalizing on defensive miscues, tying the game as Tamia Cherry scored after stealing third base and coming home on a throwing error. The Pioneers took the lead later in the inning when Trinity Perry was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Malarie Medina to score from third and give TWU a 2-1 advantage. TWU kept the pressure on, sealing the program's first win of the season with a two-run home run by Madison Lux, her first career Pioneer homer.
To close out the Classic, the Pioneers looked to carry momentum into their matchup with Harding. The Bison struck first in a slow-starting contest, scoring two runs through the first four innings before TWU began to chip away. A solo home run by Lizzie Smith in the sixth inning cut the deficit to one run, but Harding answered with a home run of their own to extend the lead to 3-1.
Texas Woman's mounted a late rally in the seventh as Marissa Espinoza tied the game with a two-run home run to center field. However, Harding was able to fend off the comeback, securing the win with a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the inning.
IMPACT PLAYERS (2 Games)
PIONEER POWER MOMENTS
Game 4 vs. UMSL:
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TWU capitalized on UMSL errors early to regain momentum, tying the game before taking a 2-1 lead on a hit-by-pitch with the bases loaded in the first inning.
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Lux secured the Pioneers' first win of the season with a two-run home run to right field.
Game 5 vs. Harding:
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Smith's solo home run in the sixth inning sparked the TWU offense, cutting the deficit to 2-1.
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Espinoza tied the game in the seventh with a two-run home run, knotting the score at 3-3 before Harding walked it off in the bottom of the inning.
Hear from Head Coach Gay McNutt
"I was pleased to see the growth in our team from game one to the fourth game," Head Coach Gay McNutt said. "We've certainly got some things to work on, but it's a long season and I'm not going to hang our season on the first weekend out. I thought our pitching staff did well and I really liked the fight in our hitters in the last game. We just came up a bit short."
Next Up
Following their debut tournament of the season, the Pioneers will return to action at the Alvy Early Memorial Classic in Bentonville, Ark., on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 7-8.
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