Softball Opens 2026 with a Pair of Victories at Cola Classic
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
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3 | 4 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 4 | 18 | 22 | 3 |
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0 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 8 | 12 | 5 |
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
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0 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 5 | 7 | 1 |
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1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 4 | X | 7 | 10 | 3 |
Columbia, South Carolina- On the opening day of the 2026 season, the Brenau softball team picked up a pair of wins over Kentucky Christian University and Point (Ga.) University at the Cola Classic, hosted by Columbia College and Columbia International University on Friday.
Against Kentucky Christian, the Golden Tigers offense started the season quickly with three runs in the first inning and added four more runs in the second to take an early 7–2 lead. After the Crusaders answered with two runs in the bottom of the third inning to cut into the deficit, Brenau answered by scoring 11 runs over the next four innings to cruise to an 18-8 win.
Junior Dayton Power led the squad with 5 RBIs, while fellow junior Peyton Hawkins went a perfect 5-5 with 3 RBIs. Senior Riley Smith posted three hits and a stolen base and senior Whitney Hulsey added a pair of RBIs.
Starter Riley Walker pitched all seven innings, allowing 7 earned runs and notching 5 strikeouts to earn the win.
The squad pounded out an impressive 20 hits in the win.
In the second game of the afternoon, the squad scored four runs in the bottom of the sixth to defeat Point (Ga.) 7-5.
Again, the Golden Tigers got on the scoreboard early as Whitney Hulsey was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to drive in Dayton Power for a 1-0 advantage. The Skyhawks answered with three runs in the top of the third inning to take a 3-1 lead, however, Brenau fought back as junior Ava Moon singled to left field to score junior Emma Folds to cut into the deficit. Peyton Hawkins then added a sacrifice fly to score Moon to tie the game at 3-3.
In the top of the 6th inning, Point added two runs off of Brenau starter Emily Hall to take a late 5-3 lead, but the Brenau bats answered the call again by scoring four runs in the bottom of the inning to regain the lead 7-5.
Hall then slammed the door shut in the top of the 7th to earn her first victory of the season. The sophomore pitched a complete game, allowing only three runs on seven hits, while striking out five.
Moon went 3-4 with 2 RBIS, while Folds added 2 hits and an RBI. Hawkins, Hulsey, and senior Charlotte Smith each added an RBI in the win.
Brenau (2-0 overall) continues play at the classic with games against Ohio Christian at 10 am and Alice Lloyd (Ky.) at 3:00 pm