OPSU Opens Play at NAIA SB Invitational Against Elite Competition
February 20, 2026
SHAWNEE, Okla. The Oklahoma Panhandle State softball team (2-9) began play Friday afternoon at the NAIA SB Invitational, where it took on Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University (Ariz.) (3-5) and No. 8 Central Methodist (6-0) and fell by scores of 5-0 and 13-5, respectively.
Game 1 versus ERAU: Starting pitcher Marin Jacobs was locked in through three-plus innings in the circle, as she took a no-hitter and a shutout into the fourth frame.
The Aggies' bats were equally held in check through two innings, but they had an opportunity in the third when Jules Leach drew a leadoff walk that was followed by a single to left from Gracie Lankford. Aggressive baserunning backfired on OPSU, and it would be left without another hit the rest of the game.
ERAU put together a two-out rally in the fourth to score once, and it followed that up with a big four-run fifth inning that was more than enough for its senior pitcher, Claire Streeter.
Jacobs (1-3) tossed all seven innings five of which were shutout frames and struck out two Eagles.
Game 2 versus No. 8 CMU: The Aggies came out swinging in its second game Friday, taking advantage of a walk and error when Cassidy Stanhope doubled in Aaliyah Dang-Gutierrez. Haley Emmerson also scored on an RBI groundout to put OPSU ahead early, 2-0.
The Eagles of Central Methodist grabbed a 4-2 lead through two innings, but OPSU came back in the fourth inning.
Still trailing 4-2 in the top of the fourth, Haeley Vasquez and Summer Marron both singled to the outfield, and Mia Cavallini entered to pinch-hit with two on and one out. Cavallini came through with a go-ahead three-run homer, her first of the season and second of her career as the Aggies charged ahead 5-4.
Unfortunately, No. 8 CMU was too powerful to keep at bay, with the Eagles putting up crooked numbers in both the fourth and sixth innings as they cruised to a run-rule win.
What's up next: OPSU plays two more games Saturday in Shawnee, with first pitches against Avila University (4-3) and RV Friends University (5-5) scheduled for 12:30 and 2:45 p.m., respectively.
Game 1 versus ERAU: Starting pitcher Marin Jacobs was locked in through three-plus innings in the circle, as she took a no-hitter and a shutout into the fourth frame.
The Aggies' bats were equally held in check through two innings, but they had an opportunity in the third when Jules Leach drew a leadoff walk that was followed by a single to left from Gracie Lankford. Aggressive baserunning backfired on OPSU, and it would be left without another hit the rest of the game.
ERAU put together a two-out rally in the fourth to score once, and it followed that up with a big four-run fifth inning that was more than enough for its senior pitcher, Claire Streeter.
Jacobs (1-3) tossed all seven innings five of which were shutout frames and struck out two Eagles.
Game 2 versus No. 8 CMU: The Aggies came out swinging in its second game Friday, taking advantage of a walk and error when Cassidy Stanhope doubled in Aaliyah Dang-Gutierrez. Haley Emmerson also scored on an RBI groundout to put OPSU ahead early, 2-0.
The Eagles of Central Methodist grabbed a 4-2 lead through two innings, but OPSU came back in the fourth inning.
Still trailing 4-2 in the top of the fourth, Haeley Vasquez and Summer Marron both singled to the outfield, and Mia Cavallini entered to pinch-hit with two on and one out. Cavallini came through with a go-ahead three-run homer, her first of the season and second of her career as the Aggies charged ahead 5-4.
Unfortunately, No. 8 CMU was too powerful to keep at bay, with the Eagles putting up crooked numbers in both the fourth and sixth innings as they cruised to a run-rule win.
What's up next: OPSU plays two more games Saturday in Shawnee, with first pitches against Avila University (4-3) and RV Friends University (5-5) scheduled for 12:30 and 2:45 p.m., respectively.
