Clermont, FL - The Curry College softball team opened its 2026 season with a pair of games on Sunday down in Florida. They would fall to Carthage 9-0 in four innings but bounce back to battle Otterbein in an eventual 9-5 loss.

Game #1:

Carthage jumped out to an early lead in the bottom of the first inning. Clare Rettler sparked the offense with an inside-the-park home run before Olivia Hristov added an RBI single to center field later in the frame, giving the Firebirds a 2–0 advantage. Carthage would add two more in the second inning and broke the game open in the third with three more runs. Carthage added two additional runs in the fourth inning to complete the scoring. Isabel Bates recorded an RBI single before a wild pitch allowed Peyton Kryza to cross the plate, making it 9–0.

Curry was limited to three hits in the contest. Adrianna Capozzi led the Colonels at the plate with a double, while Morgan Barmash and Cailene Dupras each added singles. Lizzy Helmar also reached base with a walk.

Barmash took the loss in the circle after allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits in 1.1 innings. Ana Tsonis followed with 1.2 innings of relief, surrendering three runs (two earned) while striking out one, and Tara Goldman tossed the final inning, allowing two runs and striking out two.

Carthage pitchers Emma Faubel and Eden Youngbauer combined to hold the Colonels scoreless while striking out five.

Game #2:

The Colonels were faced with a similar situation in their second game of the day, facing a 6-0 hole after the first two innings. However, the tides would turn going into the bottom of the third.

Morgan Saraceno and Morgan Barmash both reached base before Karlie Pontes drove them in with a two-run single to right-center, which cut the deficit to 6–2.

Otterbein then got breathing room again, adding two more runs in the fourth, from a Maggie McVicker 2-RBI single, making the game 8-2.

The Colonels would put the pressure on and made things interesting with a three-run rally in the fifth. Tara Goldman came around to score on an RBI single from Pontes, who finished with a team-high three runs batted in. Olivia Roy then added a sacrifice fly to bring home Izzy Henderson, and Adrianna Capozzi later stole home to make it an 8–5 game. 

The Cardinals added an insurance run in the sixth inning when Kaylie Eichorn recorded her second double of the day to drive in Amber Bradbury, securing the 9–5 final.

Pontes led Curry at the plate, going 2-for-3 with three RBIs. Saraceno also recorded two hits, while Grace Habib, Barmash, and Henderson each added a hit. The Colonels finished with seven hits and drew five walks in the contest.

Kassidy Lobb started in the circle for Curry and took the loss, allowing six runs on five hits across four innings while striking out one. Isabella Monsanto pitched the final three innings in relief, allowing three runs on four hits.

For the Cardinals, Kara Mekulsia earned the win going 4.0 innings. Kaycee Berentz added the final three innings of relief.