Illinois State And Utah State Shine In Softball Season Openers

The 2026 NCAA Division I softball season wasted no time delivering fireworks, with Illinois State and Utah State both making bold statements as they launched their campaigns on February 5. While the Redbirds soared to a flawless 2-0 start at the USF-Rawlings Tournament in Tampa, the Aggies split their doubleheader at the Aggie Classic in College Station, Texas, showcasing both promise and growing pains on opening day.

For Illinois State, the day belonged to veterans and newcomers alike. Senior Hannah Meshnick set the tone early, not only dominating in the circle but also sparking the offense with her bat. Against Bethune-Cookman, Meshnick tossed five solid innings, allowing just one run and striking out five. But her most memorable moment came at the plate, where she launched her first career home run—a two-run shot over right center that put the Redbirds on the board in the second inning. "That was a special moment," Meshnick said after the game, reflecting on her breakthrough at the plate.

Meshnick was far from alone in fueling the Redbirds' 10-1 rout. True freshmen Morgan Calhoun and Lauren Flowers wasted no time making their mark, each collecting two hits. Calhoun, in particular, was a force, driving in four runs with a pair of doubles, while Flowers chipped in a run-scoring single during a four-run fourth inning. Junior Julia Larson and senior Bella Atkinson also recorded multiple hits, with Atkinson driving in two runs and scoring twice. The offensive onslaught left Bethune-Cookman scrambling, as Illinois State piled up extra-base hits and capitalized on defensive miscues.

On the mound, Meshnick handed the ball to Hannah Meeks for the final frame, and the Redbirds' bullpen sealed the deal without incident. The Wildcats managed a lone run in the bottom of the third, but Illinois State responded emphatically, putting the game out of reach with back-to-back two-RBI doubles from Atkinson and Calhoun in the sixth inning. When the dust settled, the Redbirds had notched their most dominant season opener in over a decade.

Game two brought a new challenge as Illinois State squared off against tournament host South Florida. Sophomore Paige McLeod got the start and delivered her 15th career complete game, scattering four hits and striking out two over seven innings. The Bulls drew first blood with an RBI single in the opening frame, but the Redbirds' offense came alive in the third. Atkinson, unfazed by the early deficit, ripped a two-RBI single down the right-field line to give Illinois State the lead. Calhoun followed with an RBI base hit, and just like that, the Redbirds were back in control.

Atkinson wasn't done. In the fifth inning, she crushed a two-run home run—her third in NCAA play—extending the lead to 5-1 and all but sealing the victory. "I just wanted to stay aggressive and help my team," Atkinson explained, her four RBIs pacing the offense in game two. McLeod took care of the rest, shutting down the Bulls and ensuring Illinois State's first 2-0 start since 2012. As head coach Melinda Fischer noted, "Our lineup showed a lot of depth and resilience. The energy in the dugout was contagious. We’re excited for what’s ahead."

The Redbirds' strong start sets the stage for a challenging slate, with upcoming games against Kansas and national powerhouse No. 6 Florida on February 6, before wrapping up the USF-Rawlings Tournament against Michigan on February 7. With a mix of seasoned leaders and impact freshmen, Illinois State has quickly become a team to watch in the early going.

Meanwhile, in College Station, Utah State experienced the highs and lows that often define opening day. The Aggies came out firing in their first contest, blanking Abilene Christian 8-0 in a six-inning run-rule victory. Senior right-hander Emmalyn Brinka was nearly untouchable, retiring the first 15 batters she faced and carrying a perfect game into the sixth inning. She finished with a complete game shutout and a career-high seven strikeouts, yielding just a single walk and a bunt single. "Emmalyn was lights out today," said head coach Steve Johnson. "She set the tone for our entire team."

The Aggie bats came alive in the fourth inning, courtesy of senior catcher Kaylee Erickson, who blasted a two-run homer over the left field fence. Erickson was unstoppable at the plate, going 3-for-3 with three RBIs. Freshman Kate Vance made a memorable collegiate debut, tallying two hits—including a double—and scoring a run. Utah State poured it on late, scoring four runs in the sixth to trigger the run rule, capped by a two-run double from senior outfielder Kya Pratt.

The evening matchup, however, proved a tougher test as the Aggies faced No. 11 Texas A&M. Early defensive miscues and a relentless Aggie offense put Utah State in a 3-0 hole before they could settle in. Senior Alex Bunton delivered the lone RBI for Utah State with a double in the second inning, but the visitors struggled to generate offense, being held hitless for the final three frames. Texas A&M capitalized, adding two runs in the third and breaking the game open with a grand slam in the fourth. Head coach Johnson rotated four pitchers—Rylie Pindel, Jordyn Lish, Denay Smith, and Sydney Saldaña—in search of answers, but the Aggies ultimately fell 9-1 in five innings.

Despite the setback, there were bright spots for Utah State. Erickson continued her hot streak at the plate, reaching base twice, while Vance and Bunton showed poise against elite competition. The Aggies will look to regroup quickly, with a rematch against Abilene Christian scheduled for February 6 at 6 p.m. MT. "We saw a lot of things we can build on," Johnson remarked. "Playing a top-15 team early in the season is a great measuring stick. We’ll be ready to bounce back tomorrow."

Both Illinois State and Utah State have already demonstrated resilience and flashes of brilliance in the season’s opening act. With challenging opponents on the horizon and new faces stepping up, the next few days promise even more intrigue as these teams continue to shape their identities. Fans and followers will be watching closely to see which early trends hold and which new stars emerge as the 2026 softball season heats up.

With momentum on their side, Illinois State heads into day two of the USF-Rawlings Tournament, eager to test themselves against Kansas and a top-ranked Florida squad. Utah State, meanwhile, aims to even their record and fine-tune their roster as the Aggie Classic continues. One thing’s for certain: opening day has set the table for a compelling spring on the diamond.