The 2026 college softball season is officially underway, and opening day did not disappoint. From no hitters to home run records and statement wins, here's just a glimpse of the action from the first game day of the year.
Alabama rolled Villanova, tied home-run record
The Crimson Tide rolled over Villanova, 16-0, in a combined no-hitter.
No. 16 Alabama's dominant defensive performance was backed by some big bats at the plate, including seven blasts to tie the program's single-game home run record that was set in 2011 against Western Michigan.
Rookie Wildcat makes history against Southern Utah in a no-hitter
Jalen Adams’ first appearance in the circle for No. 21 Arizona made quite the statement.
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The Wildcats cruised to an 8–0 win over Southern Utah as Adams fired a complete no-hitter, marking Arizona’s 99th in program history. She became the first-ever Wildcat to accomplish the feat in a debut performance.
Yarnell's grand slams helps UCF shine in opening Knight
The Knights routed Boston, 13-0, in an impressive opening night victory. UCF's win was propelled by an explosive first inning offensive performance, headlined by Kendall Yarnell's two-out grandslam that sent the Knights up 6-0 early.
BOOOOOOOOM 🧨
— UCF Softball (@UCF_Softball)
The momentum continued throughout the weekend, as Yarnell knocked her second two-out grandslam of the weekend on Saturday to send UCF up 10-7 over Maryland in the fourth. The Knight's nine-run frame propelled them to the 15-7 win.
North Florida run-rules Auburn in statement win
The Ospreys open the season with a BIG statement, handing Auburn a devastating 11-3 loss in Jacksonville. The victory marked North Florida's first win against a Power Four team since taking down Iowa in 2024.
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North Florida set the tone early, with four runs in the bottom of the first and another five in the fourth while sophomore Grace Shaw's three-RBI day helped clinch the run-rule over the Tigers.
Hokies battle for a top-15 victory on the road
No. 21 Virginia Tech earned a dramatic come-from-behind 8-4 win over No. 14 South Carolina in the upset.
Down 4–1 heading into the sixth, the Hokies found themselves with their backs against the wall in Columbia as South Carolina’s Jori Heard stepped back into the circle. But they were able to flip the script, finding momentum in Emma Mazzarone's three-bagger and two crucial Gamecock errors that gave them their first lead of the night in the seven-run frame.
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Despite USC loading the bases in the bottom of the sixth, the Hokies were able to hold onto the lead and walk away with a big top-15 victory.
T6 | SPEECHLESS. 2 RBI TRIPLE FOR EMMA MAZZARONE. 💬
— Virginia Tech Softball (@HokiesSoftball)
Hokies 6, Gamecocks 4
Jayden Heaven's career day propels LSU to victory
No. 13 LSU's dominant 11-3 win over NC State was backed by Jayden Heaven's career day in the circle. The sophomore lefty handled all five frames for the Tigers, tallying 10 strikeouts, allowing only two hits from the Wolfpack.
Stars shine bright in Texas
No. 1 Texas Tech earned a commanding 13-3 victory over McNeese thanks to Mia Williams showing out in her debut performance as a Raider. The junior went 3-for-3 with two doubles, four RBIs and a HR to propel her new team to the win.
The momentum carried over into Friday, defeating North Texas 10-2 in the team's first game of the day. The Raiders' star pitcher in NiJaree Canady took her talents to the plate as the DH for the matchup, knocking a grand slam in the fourth frame.
NIJAREE CANADY. GRAND SLAM. 🤯 x 🎥
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball)
Maya Johnson throws perfect game in Belmont win
One of the nation's top pitchers is back in the circle for Belmont, picking up right where she left off.
In her first appearance of the 2026 season after undergoing Lupus treatment in the fall, Maya Johnson hurled 15 strikeouts in 83 pitches through seven innings in the Bruins' 9-0 win over Missouri State on Friday.
Two top-5 upsets headline Friday slate
No. 12 Clemson picked up a pair of ranked wins on Friday. The Tigers took down No. 23 Liberty after pulling off a 6-5 upset over No. 5 Oregon earlier in the day at the Leadoff Classic in Clearwater Fla.
But the chaos didn't stop there. No. 18 Arizona stunned No. 3 Oklahoma, 11-6 with just six hits in a come-from-behind win. The Sooners lead 6-5 going into the bottom of the sixth, until Arizona took control of the frame and found their first lead of the game.
GRAND SLAM TAYLER BIEHL. UNREAL. 🤯 x 🎥 ESPN+ /
— NCAA Softball (@NCAASoftball)
With a one-run edge and the bases loaded with two outs, Taylor Biehl blasted a grand slam that sealed the six-run inning for the Wildcats and before clinching the victory with a double-play in the seventh.
Down goes No. 1
No. 9 Nebraska knocked off No. 1 Texas 8-5 at the UTSA Invitational on Saturday, Feb. 7, marking the first time a reigning national champion was defeated on opening weekend since 2017 when Oklahoma lost to No. 2 Auburn, 2-3
The Huskers' win was ignited by four Big Red blasts in the first three innings. Jordy Frahm continued to showcase her versatility, going 1-for-3 at the plate with a home run while also earning the win in the circle, tossing four innings and striking out five.
No. 1 Texas Tech edges No. 11 Texas A&M behind Mia Williams
The Red Raiders remain perfect, earning the 3-2 win over in-state foe Texas A&M.
What a play Mia!
— Texas Tech Softball (@TexasTechSB)
Mia Williams continued to show-out in her first weekend in a Texas Tech kit, tallying a home run and her eleventh RBI of the season against the Aggies. The second baseman continued to prove her worth on the diamond, laying out for a diving grab to rob Maddie Sauni of a line drive in the seventh.
No-hitter for Nutter
In her first career-start, Hailey Nutter pitched a perfect game for Kentucky in its 7-0 Saturday win over Loyola Chicago. Her shutout performance came with 14 strikeouts on 89 pitches, marking the Wildcats' 23rd no-hitter in program history.
