Villanova softball went 3-2 to open the season at the Texas State Tournament over the weekend in San Marcos, Texas. The ‘Cats beat Texas State and Kent State twice, while losing to Wichita State twice.

  The season opener Friday was a 12-1 loss to Wichita State, with the ‘Cats only recording three total hits. Senior catcher Ally Jones recorded two hits, and the ‘Cats lone RBI in the five-inning contest. The Shockers jumped out to a 5-0 lead in the first inning and never looked back, recording 16 hits and seven more runs. Sophomore pitcher/outfielder Kelsey White picked up the loss for the ‘Cats.

The ‘Cats played two games on Friday, the second being a 3-0 win against Kent State. The game was deadlocked at zero until the top of the seventh, when the ‘Cats scored three runs. In her debut with the ‘Cats, graduate pitcher Peyton Schnackenberg struck out six and walked two in a shutout complete game effort. White recorded a two-out go-ahead double, scoring two. Jones then recorded a sacrifice fly to extend the ‘Cats lead to 3-0. They would blank the Golden Flashes in the final inning to secure the win.

 The ‘Cats had two more games on Saturday. The first was a 4-2 win over Texas State, with freshman pitcher Kat Gallant allowing two unearned runs and picking up the win in her collegiate debut. Sophomore infielder Ava Franz drew four walks, a feat that has only been accomplished three times in Villanova softball history, all in the past three seasons. Villanova scored a run in each of the final three innings to secure the win. Junior centerfielder Tess Cites went 3-for-5 at the plate, recording two runs. Senior third baseman Chloe Smith, senior first baseman Victoria Sebastian, Jones and White all recorded one RBI each for the ‘Cats.

The second Saturday game for the ‘Cats was a 6-2 loss to the Shockers, with Schnackenberg picking up the loss. The ‘Cats were shut out until the top of the sixth, when Franz and graduate catcher Ryan Henry both drove in runs.  

The last game of the tournament came on Sunday against the Golden Flashes, which the ‘Cats won, 13-5. Henry hit a solo shot and freshman shortstop Lilly St. Jean hit a three-run homer. Cites went 4-for-4 at the dish, with a triple and four RBIs. White picked up the win for the ‘Cats, wrapping up the weekend in dominant fashion. The ‘Cats recorded 14 hits in the game against the Golden Flashes.  

The ‘Cats return to action next weekend at the Auburn University Tiger Invitational, where they will face Auburn twice, Dayton twice and Austin Peay once. The games against Auburn will be televised on SEC Network +.