Softball Falls to Dordt in NAIA Opening Round Finale

ASHLAND, Ore.– The Texas A&M University-Texarkana softball team saw its 2026 season come to a close Wednesday morning with a 7-2 loss to Dordt University in an elimination game at the NAIA National Championship Opening Round in Ashland, Oregon.

The Eagles finish the season with a 38-16 overall record after earning the No. 2 seed in the Ashland Bracket and making their second consecutive appearance in the NAIA National Championship Opening Round under second-year head coach Tony McKnight.

Dordt struck first in the second inning, but the Eagles quickly responded with two runs in the bottom half of the frame to take their only lead of the game. Madison Ruiz started the rally with a single before Grace Cantu followed with a hit to right center. Kylie Malone then delivered an RBI single through the right side to tie the game at 1-1.

Later in the inning, Brooke Usrey lifted a sacrifice fly to left field to score Cantu and give TAMUT a 2-1 advantage.

The Defenders answered with a solo home run in the third inning before using a three-run fourth inning to regain control of the contest. Dordt added two more runs in the sixth inning to secure the victory.

Malone paced the Eagles offensively with a 2-for-3 performance and an RBI, while Ruiz, Cantu, Mackenzie Williams, and Skyler Martin each added hits. Cantu also scored a run and drew a walk in the contest.

Rylee Glenn took the loss in the circle after recording two strikeouts in 3.2 innings of work. Charli Miller added 1.1 scoreless innings in relief, while Alexis Snyder and Morgan Benge also appeared for the Eagles.

TAMUT closes the 2026 campaign following one of the most successful seasons in program history, highlighted by back-to-back trips to the NAIA National Championship Opening Round.