Aggies Nearly Upset RV Friends, Come Up Winless at NAIA SB Invitational
February 22, 2026
SHAWNEE, Okla. The Oklahoma Panhandle State softball team (2-12) was one hit away from walking off RV Friends University on Saturday afternoon, but it ended the weekend winless, falling by scores of 9-1 to Avila (5-3) and 5-4 to Friends (7-5) on Saturday, before dropping the SB Invitational finale Sunday, 10-2 to Ottawa (9-5).
Game 1 versus Avila University: A pair of early base hits from Aaliyah Dang-Gutierrez and Kaylee Jund were unrewarded as OPSU struck out six times in the first two innings Saturday.
Small ball worked for the Eagles in the bottom of the second inning as they plated three runs to take a 3-0 lead. Jules Leach singled, stole second base and advanced to third in the third frame before coming into score on an infield hit off the bat of Haley Emmerson to close the gap to 3-1.
Avila countered with one in the third, but neither lineup scored again until the bottom of the sixth inning. The Eagles struck for five runs (four unearned) to walk it off, 9-1.
Marin Jacobs picked up three strikeouts and did not walk anyone in the loss. Offensively, Jund highlighted OPSU's efforts by going 2-for-2.
Game 2 versus RV Friends University: Panhandle State came out strong against the Falcons, grabbing a 4-0 lead through two innings.
Dang-Gutierrez bunted for a single and stole a base to open the game, and she came around to score on a base knock from Haeley Vasquez. Summer Marron drove in Vasquez with a hit to right-center, making it 2-0 after one. OPSU doubled its lead by using aggressive baserunning and taking advantage of errors that plated Leach and Gutierrez in the second inning.
Trailing 4-0, Friends answered back with a three-run homer in the third. The Falcons then tied things in the fourth following a leadoff double, and they put together a two-out rally in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead.
Still 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh for the Aggies' last chance, Gracie Lankford singled and stole second to put pressure on Friends. The catcher advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Leach, and Jund reached base the following at-bat. Gutierrez was then hit by a pitch to load the bases for Emmerson, but a double play stole OPSU's chance at a walk-off upset victory.
Jordan Johnson pitched a complete game in the circle and notched two strikeouts, while Marron led the bats with two hits in the contest.
Game 3 versus Ottawa University: The Aggies struggled Sunday morning facing the Braves, allowing Ottawa to open up a methodical 8-0 advantage through four innings.
OPSU scored twice in the top of the fifth inning to keep the game alive, as Marron and Mia Cavallini led off the frame with a single and double, respectively. Lankford and Leach drove in runs on an RBI groundout and single, respectively, before a double play ended things offensively. The Braves scored a run-rule victory by plating two in the bottom of the fifth.
Johnson got the start, collecting two strikeouts and allowing two earned runs in three innings of work. At the dish, Cavallini went 2-for-2 with Panhandle State's lone extra-base hit.
What's up next: The Aggies begin their Sooner Athletic Conference schedule at home with a four-game series versus Nelson (7-7) starting at 2 p.m. Friday.
Game 1 versus Avila University: A pair of early base hits from Aaliyah Dang-Gutierrez and Kaylee Jund were unrewarded as OPSU struck out six times in the first two innings Saturday.
Small ball worked for the Eagles in the bottom of the second inning as they plated three runs to take a 3-0 lead. Jules Leach singled, stole second base and advanced to third in the third frame before coming into score on an infield hit off the bat of Haley Emmerson to close the gap to 3-1.
Avila countered with one in the third, but neither lineup scored again until the bottom of the sixth inning. The Eagles struck for five runs (four unearned) to walk it off, 9-1.
Marin Jacobs picked up three strikeouts and did not walk anyone in the loss. Offensively, Jund highlighted OPSU's efforts by going 2-for-2.
Game 2 versus RV Friends University: Panhandle State came out strong against the Falcons, grabbing a 4-0 lead through two innings.
Dang-Gutierrez bunted for a single and stole a base to open the game, and she came around to score on a base knock from Haeley Vasquez. Summer Marron drove in Vasquez with a hit to right-center, making it 2-0 after one. OPSU doubled its lead by using aggressive baserunning and taking advantage of errors that plated Leach and Gutierrez in the second inning.
Trailing 4-0, Friends answered back with a three-run homer in the third. The Falcons then tied things in the fourth following a leadoff double, and they put together a two-out rally in the sixth to take a 5-4 lead.
Still 5-4 heading into the bottom of the seventh for the Aggies' last chance, Gracie Lankford singled and stole second to put pressure on Friends. The catcher advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt from Leach, and Jund reached base the following at-bat. Gutierrez was then hit by a pitch to load the bases for Emmerson, but a double play stole OPSU's chance at a walk-off upset victory.
Jordan Johnson pitched a complete game in the circle and notched two strikeouts, while Marron led the bats with two hits in the contest.
Game 3 versus Ottawa University: The Aggies struggled Sunday morning facing the Braves, allowing Ottawa to open up a methodical 8-0 advantage through four innings.
OPSU scored twice in the top of the fifth inning to keep the game alive, as Marron and Mia Cavallini led off the frame with a single and double, respectively. Lankford and Leach drove in runs on an RBI groundout and single, respectively, before a double play ended things offensively. The Braves scored a run-rule victory by plating two in the bottom of the fifth.
Johnson got the start, collecting two strikeouts and allowing two earned runs in three innings of work. At the dish, Cavallini went 2-for-2 with Panhandle State's lone extra-base hit.
What's up next: The Aggies begin their Sooner Athletic Conference schedule at home with a four-game series versus Nelson (7-7) starting at 2 p.m. Friday.
