Spartans Drop Two Close Games to Kick Off 2026 Season

TAMPA, Fla. - The University of Tampa's Softball team opened their season with a pair of tough losses in competitive matchups with Oklahoma Christian.

Records: #2 Tampa 0-2, #25 Oklahoma Christian 2-0

Location: Naimoli Family Stadium l Tampa, Fla

History: Today's double header marked the first and second games between the two programs.

Final Game One: #2 Tampa 0,#25 Oklahoma Christian 2

Final Game Two: #2 Tampa 2,#25 Oklahoma Christian 4

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME ONE:

Reigning SSC Pitcher of the Year Gwen McGinnis got the start in the first game of the new season for the Spartans, and promptly kicked of the 2026 season with a 1-2-3 top of the 1st that included a pair of strikeouts. Tampa's revamped lineup saw a pair of freshman, Aubrey Zechmann and Jenna Neupaver, at the top of the batting order in the 1 and 2 spots respectively. Both players were able to record their first career hit in their first game, with Neupaver achieving this feat in her first collegiate at-bat. Tampa fell behind after the Eagles put a pair of runs on the board in the 4th inning. The Spartans saw their best chance to score the bottom of the 6th when the tying run was on base, but the Eagles were able to snuff out the opportunity with a strikeout.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• McGinnis - L (0-1):7.0 IP, 2 R, 1 ER, 5 H, 6 SO

• Neupaver - 2-3  

• Zechmann - 2-3 

• Cam Feast made her Spartan debut while Neupaver, Karlee Salisbury, and Zechmann all made first career starts

HOW IT HAPPENED - GAME TWO:

Kelsey Winters got the start in the second game, and, like McGinnis, was able to put up a scoreless first inning of the season. Tampa quickly righted their scoreless game one outing with three hits in the bottom of the 1st capped by a Kinnah Kreidler double to bring home the first run of the season for the Spartans. Their first lead wouldn't last long though, as the Eagles struck back immediately in the top of the 2nd with a 2-run triple to take the lead. From here, the offense for both teams would stay quiet. Holly Steffus made her first collegiate appearance in the circle starting in the 5th inning, and started with a bang by striking out the side in the 5th. The bottom of the 5th is where the offense would pick back up as Kreidler would draw a walk with the bases loaded to bring home the tying run. Once again though, the Eagles would strike right back and retake the lead in the top of the 6th, and would tack on an extra run in the 7th.

INSIDE THE STATS: 

• Winters -  4.0 IP, 2 R, 5 H, 1 SO 

• Steffus - L (0-1): 3.0 IP, 2 R, 4 H, 4 SO

• Kreidler - 1-3 2B, 2 RBI 

• Zechmann - 2-4, R, SB

• Makiah Brumbelow-Neal, Riley Haggas, and Lennox Ullrich all made Spartan and collegiate debuts as PH
• Ullrich - 1-1, first career hit