COLUMBIA, S. C. - The Brewton-Parker Christian University Barons softball team kicked off the Coca-Cola Classic with wins in their two games on February 13, 2026. In game one, the Barons dominated, taking down Alice Lloyd College (Ky.) 10-0 in five innings. In game two, the Barons took down Ohio Christian University 7-3 to start the classic undefeated.
In game one, the Barons broke the scoreless tie with a decisive second inning, piling on five runs on multiple extra-base hits. Anna Green delivered the biggest blow of the frame with a two-run homer to center that capped the outburst, while Destiny Lucas added an RBI single to center as the Barons seized a 5-0 lead. Brewton-Parker finished the game with 10 runs on 12 hits and took advantage of two Alice Lloyd errors.
The Barons continued to build on the lead with long balls and extra-base power. In the fourth, Tori Wright launched a two-run homer to left-center to make it 7-0. Wright struck again in the fifth with a two-run double to left-center, pushing the margin to 10-0 and enforcing the run rule in the fifth. Wright closed Game one with three hits, three runs scored, and four RBI, while Green added two hits and two RBI, and Lucas contributed three hits, two RBI, and a stolen base.
Kaylee Odum anchored the opener in the circle, tossing four scoreless innings to earn the win. She allowed just two hits, struck out three, before Makayla Croft closed out the game in the fifth, giving up just two hits and no runs. The Barons' defense backed the pitching with just one error while stranding seven Alice Lloyd baserunners and turning away any potential rallies.
Game two followed a similar script, with Brewton-Parker jumping ahead early and never trailing. The Barons plated three runs in the first inning, starting with an RBI double to right-center from Green to open the scoring. Ayzsa Wooten then doubled to left-center for a two-run hit, stretching the lead to 3-0. Ohio Christian answered with a three-run third to tie the game before the Barons started to shut them down.
Green put the Barons back on top in the bottom of the third with a sacrifice fly for a 4-3 edge, and the lineup added insurance in the middle innings. In the fifth, Lucas tripled down the right-field line to start the frame, Green followed with another sacrifice fly, and Wooten later doubled in a run to extend the cushion to 6-3. Lucas produced an RBI groundout to second in the sixth for a final insurance run and a 7-3 advantage the Barons carried to the finish.
Mathews handled the bulk of the work in the circle in game two, working five innings to earn the win. She limited Ohio Christian to four hits and three earned runs with two strikeouts before the Barons' bullpen closed out the final frames.
Head Coach Madison Herrin reflected on the day, saying, "The ladies played hard today. We were very productive offensively with some key defensive plays. Pitchers threw the ball well today. We are looking forward to the remainder of the tournament."
The Barons will look to keep their momentum going as they face Kentucky Christian University in the first game on February 14, 2026, before closing out the classic against the hosting Columbia International University.
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