Friday's softball slate did not disappoint, with ranked teams falling, statement wins, and dramatic finishes across the country.
Here’s a look at the biggest results from all of the action.
Louisiana Tech stuns No. 4 Oklahoma State
Louisiana Tech pulled off a massive upset Friday, taking down No. 4 Oklahoma State 6-1 in the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge behind a second-inning surge and dominant pitching from Allie Floyd.
The Lady Techsters (2-0) capitalized on a poor second inning from OSU (1-1), drawing four straight walks and scoring twice on a throwing error to take a commanding 4-0 lead. Floyd took care of the rest, allowing just one run on seven hits while striking out four in a complete game.
Oklahoma State’s struggles started when starter Kyra Aycock issued back-to-back bases-loaded walks to bring in two runs. A throwing error on a fielder’s choice moments later allowed two more to cross, forcing the Cowgirls to play from behind the rest of the way.
No better time for your first career hit!
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RyLee Crandall provided stability out of the bullpen, retiring 12 straight batters before Louisiana Tech struck again in the sixth. A single from Carly Raley, followed by an RBI hit from Natalie Hammoude, extended the lead to 6-0.
The Cowgirls had their chances but left nine runners stranded. Their lone run came in the sixth when Karli Godwin led off with a double and scored on a Micaela Wark infield single.
Oklahoma State will look to bounce back quickly with a matchup against Northern Colorado next.
Mississippi State shocks No. 10 Texas Tech in extra innings
Mississippi State pulled off an early-season upset, taking down No. 10 Texas Tech 3-1 in extra innings at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
The Bulldogs broke a scoreless tie in the eighth, stringing together clutch hits to push across three runs. Kiarra Sells started the rally with an RBI single through the right side, followed by a sacrifice fly from Morgan Bernardini and an RBI single from Sierra Sacco.
Texas Tech got one back in the bottom half on Mihyia Davis’ RBI groundout, but Raelin Chaffin shut the door to seal Mississippi State’s win. Chaffin was outstanding, tossing eight innings of three-hit ball while striking out six and allowing no earned runs.
Texas Tech ace NiJaree Canady was equally dominant through seven innings, striking out 12 and allowing just one hit. But the Bulldogs finally cracked her in extras, making the most of their opportunities.
The Red Raiders managed only three hits all night and stranded six runners. Alana Johnson’s first-inning double was Texas Tech’s lone extra-base hit.
With the win, Mississippi State notched its first ranked victory of the season, while Texas Tech will look to bounce back in its next game at the tournament.
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Texas A&M rallies late to outslug Baylor
No. 7 Texas A&M powered past No. 19 Baylor with a late offensive surge, securing a 10-7 victory Thursday at Davis Diamond.
The Aggies (3-0) trailed 7-1 after four innings before erupting for four runs in the fifth and five more in the sixth. Rylen Wouley and Rylen Powell sparked the comeback, each driving in runs, while Trinity Barbara sealed the win with a two-run homer in the sixth.
Baylor (2-1) built an early lead behind a four-run second inning, capitalizing on timely hits from McKenzie Flores and Emily Dawson. The Bears extended their advantage to 7-1 in the fourth, but their bats went quiet as A&M’s bullpen capitalized.
Aggies reliever Emiley Kennedy tossed two scoreless innings to earn the win, while Baylor’s pitching staff struggled to slow A&M’s rally, allowing nine runs in the final two frames.
A&M’s aggressive base running and hitting proved the difference, with Vrazel and Dement combining for three extra-base hits and four RBIs.
The Aggies remain unbeaten and will look to keep rolling as the tournament continues, while Baylor aims to rebound in its next matchup.
Duke dominates Mississippi State in run-rule shutout
No. 8 Duke rolled to an 8-0 run-rule victory over No. 24 Mississippi State in five innings at the Puerto Vallarta College Challenge.
Kairi Rodriguez set the tone early, launching a three-run homer in the first inning to put the Blue Devils (2-0) in command. Duke added two more in the second, highlighted by an RBI double from Aminah Vega.
The offense kept rolling in the third as Rodriguez and Amiah Burgess notched back-to-back singles, setting up another score. Burgess later added an RBI infield single in the fourth before Ana Gold dashed home during a rundown to cap the scoring.
Duke ace D’Auna Jennings dominated in the circle, tossing five shutout innings with three strikeouts while allowing just four hits. Mississippi State (1-1) struggled to generate offense, managing only one extra-base hit — a double from Kiarra Sells.
Bulldogs starter Josey Marron gave up five runs in just 1.2 innings, and reliever Lexi Sosa allowed three more over 2.1 innings.
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No. 15 Missouri shuts out No. 20 Northwestern
No. 15 Missouri opened its 2025 campaign with a statement, blanking No. 20 Northwestern 3-0 behind a dominant outing from junior pitcher Cierra Harrison at the NFCA Leadoff Classic.
Harrison delivered a complete-game shutout, allowing just three hits while striking out six in her season debut. She kept the Wildcats off balance all night, limiting them to just one runner in scoring position.
Missouri capitalized on a first-inning Northwestern error to take an early lead before Stefania Abruscato extended the advantage with an RBI infield single in the second. The Tigers tacked on an insurance run in the sixth when Claire Cahalan roped a two-out triple and scored on a base hit from Hannah Crenshaw.
Northwestern’s best chance came in the fourth when leadoff hitter Ava Avvisato, who finished 3-for-3, doubled to start the inning. But Harrison responded with a strikeout and two flyouts to strand the runner.
Northwestern starter Riley Grudzielanek battled through six innings, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits while striking out three.
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No. 24 Maryland routs No. 21 Cal with early surge
No. 24 Maryland wasted no time making a statement, scoring six runs in the first three innings to knock off No. 21 California 6-3 in the Kajikawa Classic. The win marks Maryland’s first of the season.
Mazie MacFarlane powered the Terps at the plate, going 3-for-4 with two doubles and three RBIs, including a two-run double in the third that gave Maryland a commanding 6-1 lead. Sam Bean and Madison Runyan each chipped in RBI singles, while Caitlyn Cornwell added a hit, an RBI, and a stolen base.
Cal struggled to respond early but found some life late. Kaylee Pond launched her first home run of the season in the sixth, and Tatum Bell had an RBI single in the third, but Maryland starter Julia Shearer held the Bears in check. The lefty went the distance, striking out three while allowing three runs on six hits for her third career complete game.
After a rough start, Cal's pitching settled down. Annabel Teperson entered in the fourth and shut down Maryland’s offense, recording two strikeouts and not allowing a hit the rest of the way.
Maryland will face Miami (Ohio) next, while Cal will look to bounce back in a doubleheader against Utah and a rematch with the Terps.
Delaware shocks No. 22 Michigan for historic win
Delaware made history Thursday, defeating No. 22 Michigan 8-2 at the USF Rawlings Invitational for its first-ever win over a ranked opponent.
The Blue Hens (2-2) jumped on Michigan (0-1) early, plating five runs in the first inning. After loading the bases on a single and two hit batters, Delaware capitalized with a two-run double from Lexi Shaffer, an RBI double from Chloe Blantz, and a fielder’s choice to take a commanding lead.
Michigan had opportunities but struggled to convert, leaving 13 runners on base and going scoreless with the bases loaded in the fourth and sixth innings. The Wolverines’ only runs came on a passed ball in the first and a seventh-inning error.
Delaware’s pitching was key. Grace Kerwood tossed 4.2 innings and allowed just one unearned run while escaping multiple jams. Taylor Hess closed out the final 2.1 innings, sealing the upset.
Shaffer led the offense, going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, while Hess, Blantz, and Sydney Cahalan each had multi-hit performances.
The Blue Hens extended their lead with runs in the fourth and fifth innings, cruising to a historic win. They’ll now face No. 3 Florida on Friday, while Michigan looks to rebound from a rough season opener.
