CHATTANOOGA, TN - After having its first six scheduled games canceled due to inclement weather, the Ohio Dominican softball team finally opened the 2026 season on the road at the Chattanooga Invitational, hosted by Lee University in Chattanooga, Tennessee. The Panthers opened the tournament against unbeaten West Florida (6–0) and ultimately dropped a hard-fought contest, 7–5.
Player Breakdown
Sophomore Emma Grau got the start in the circle for ODU. Coming off a strong freshman campaign in which she posted a 2.01 ERA and a 13–9 record as the G-MAC's fourth-ranked pitcher, Grau worked 4.2 innings against the Argonauts. She recorded six strikeouts over 21 batters, allowing seven hits and seven runs while issuing just one walk. Freshman Alyvia Lawrentz made her collegiate debut in relief, pitching 1.1 scoreless innings while allowing only one hit.
Offensively, Erica Massey and Kendrick Sterling each collected two hits for the Panthers. Massey also drove in two runs, while Saadie Maysonet added an RBI of her own as ODU finished the game with eight total hits.
Inning Breakdown
The first two innings were scoreless for both teams. West Florida broke through in the third inning, capitalizing on extra-base hits to plate the game's first run.
Ohio Dominican answered in the fifth inning, stringing together a three-run rally to take a brief lead. Sterling opened the frame with a double, and Maysonet followed with a double of her own to score Hannah Plymale, who pinch ran for Sterling. Later in the inning, with Lilah Flores reaching on a hit by pitch and Leea Ibarra aboard via a fielder's choice bunt, Massey delivered a clutch single to center field that brought both runners home.
West Florida responded immediately with a decisive six-run fifth inning, reclaiming the lead and going ahead 7–3.
The Panthers showed resilience in the sixth inning, pushing across two more runs. Lilly Irvine singled, and Addie Triplett drew a walk before Sterling singled to left field, allowing Maysonet to drive in Irvine. Triplett later scored on a wild pitch, cutting the deficit to two runs. However, West Florida's defense held strong in the seventh to secure the 7–5 victory.
Next
Ohio Dominican will look ahead to Saturday's action at the Chattanooga Invitational, where the Panthers are set to face Montevallo at 11 a.m. followed by Alabama Huntsville at 4 p.m.
