Northwestern University Athletics
Friday, February 6
Tempe, Ariz.
11 am CT
Northwestern
1-0
9
vs
1
Toledo
0-2
1
2
3
4
5
R
H
E
Toledo
1
0
0
0
0
1
2
1
Northwestern
1
0
3
3
2
9
12
1
Photo by: Arianna Grainey/Casteel Baseball
‘Cats Split Opening Day Doubleheader
2/6/2026 7:43:00 PM | Softball
TEMPE, Ariz. – Northwestern opened its 2026 season with Friday doubleheader split, cruising to a 9-1 run rule victory over Toledo in the season-opener before falling to Texas State, 4-3, in a back-and-forth affair.
After surrendering a home run in the top of the first inning against Toledo, Northwestern wasted no time punching back as Grace Nieto hit a leadoff home run in the Wildcats' first at-bat of the season to even the score, 1-1. Nieto would finish the game with three runs scored, tied for the most in her career.
Northwestern charged ahead in the bottom of the third inning as Nieto and Kelsey Nader both reached base to lead off the frame. From there, Kaylie Avvisato pounced on the first pitch she saw for a three-run home run to give the Wildcats a 4-1 advantage. The 'Cats broke the game open the next inning as two came around to score via a fielding error, followed by an RBI-single from Avvisato to extend the lead to 7-1.
Avvisato finished the first game going 3-for-3 with a career high-tying four RBI. Her four RBI are the most by a Wildcat on opening day since Jordyn Rudd also recorded four in the 2023 season opener.
Northwestern put the game to rest in the fifth inning, with Emma Raye hitting a leadoff home run to give the Wildcats an 8-1 advantage. Following back-to-back doubles from Isabel Cunnea and Avery Garden, Bridget Donahey wrapped the game up early with an RBI-single to secure a 9-1 victory in five innings.
Grudzielanek cruised following the Rockets' first inning home run, allowing just one hit over her final 4.1 innings of work to lock up her first win of the season. As a team, it marked Northwestern's first run-rule victory in a season opener since an 8-0 win over UConn in five innings to kick off the 2022 season.
Against Texas State, the 'Cats jumped out to an early lead in the first inning after Nieto reached on an infield bunt single, Nader moved her move via a sacrifice bunt and Avvisato cashed in with an RBI-double to drive in Nieto. Nieto turned in a multi-hit effort in game two, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. It marked the 32nd multi-hit game of Nieto's career.
Making her first-ever collegiate appearance, Marina Mason turned in a tremendous effort against the 2025 Sun Belt Champions, allowing just four hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out five across 5.0 innings.
After the Bobcats took a 2-1 lead heading into the sixth inning, Northwestern promptly punched back as Raye hit a two-out home run to center field for her second long ball of the day. This marks the third time in Raye's career she has homered in back-to-back games.
After Texas State regained a 3-2 advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning, Northwestern responded once again with its last chance to hit as Tru Medina delivered a towering home run to left field with one out–the first hit of her career–to to tie the game at 3-3.
The rally did not prove to be enough, as the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year Aiyana Coleman led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk-off home run.
Northwestern will be back in action with two more games on Saturday. The Wildcats will have a rematch against Texas State at 4:30 pm CT. Following that, the Wildcats will take on the host Arizona State at 7:15 pm CT, with the game being broadcast live on ESPN+.
After surrendering a home run in the top of the first inning against Toledo, Northwestern wasted no time punching back as Grace Nieto hit a leadoff home run in the Wildcats' first at-bat of the season to even the score, 1-1. Nieto would finish the game with three runs scored, tied for the most in her career.
First at-bat of 2026 ??
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 6, 2026
Grace Nieto HOME RUN ???? pic.twitter.com/zVlFgljprk
Northwestern charged ahead in the bottom of the third inning as Nieto and Kelsey Nader both reached base to lead off the frame. From there, Kaylie Avvisato pounced on the first pitch she saw for a three-run home run to give the Wildcats a 4-1 advantage. The 'Cats broke the game open the next inning as two came around to score via a fielding error, followed by an RBI-single from Avvisato to extend the lead to 7-1.
Avvisato finished the first game going 3-for-3 with a career high-tying four RBI. Her four RBI are the most by a Wildcat on opening day since Jordyn Rudd also recorded four in the 2023 season opener.
Starting off with a BANG ??@kaylieavvisato led the way with 4?? RBI and a homer in game one! pic.twitter.com/IRAGKVMb2Y
— Northwestern Softball (@NUSBcats) February 6, 2026
Northwestern put the game to rest in the fifth inning, with Emma Raye hitting a leadoff home run to give the Wildcats an 8-1 advantage. Following back-to-back doubles from Isabel Cunnea and Avery Garden, Bridget Donahey wrapped the game up early with an RBI-single to secure a 9-1 victory in five innings.
Grudzielanek cruised following the Rockets' first inning home run, allowing just one hit over her final 4.1 innings of work to lock up her first win of the season. As a team, it marked Northwestern's first run-rule victory in a season opener since an 8-0 win over UConn in five innings to kick off the 2022 season.
Against Texas State, the 'Cats jumped out to an early lead in the first inning after Nieto reached on an infield bunt single, Nader moved her move via a sacrifice bunt and Avvisato cashed in with an RBI-double to drive in Nieto. Nieto turned in a multi-hit effort in game two, going 2-for-4 with a run scored. It marked the 32nd multi-hit game of Nieto's career.
Making her first-ever collegiate appearance, Marina Mason turned in a tremendous effort against the 2025 Sun Belt Champions, allowing just four hits and two runs (one earned) while striking out five across 5.0 innings.
After the Bobcats took a 2-1 lead heading into the sixth inning, Northwestern promptly punched back as Raye hit a two-out home run to center field for her second long ball of the day. This marks the third time in Raye's career she has homered in back-to-back games.
After Texas State regained a 3-2 advantage in the bottom of the sixth inning, Northwestern responded once again with its last chance to hit as Tru Medina delivered a towering home run to left field with one out–the first hit of her career–to to tie the game at 3-3.
The rally did not prove to be enough, as the Sun Belt Preseason Player of the Year Aiyana Coleman led off the bottom of the seventh with a walk-off home run.
Northwestern will be back in action with two more games on Saturday. The Wildcats will have a rematch against Texas State at 4:30 pm CT. Following that, the Wildcats will take on the host Arizona State at 7:15 pm CT, with the game being broadcast live on ESPN+.
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Grudzielanek, Riley (1-0)
L: Mady Yackee (0-1)
Batting:
HR: Audrey Miller 1
RBI: Audrey Miller 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Audrey Miller 1
PO: Eli Enriquez 1
Batting:
2B: Cunnea, Isabel 1 ; Garden, Avery 1
HR: Nieto, Grace 1 ; Avvisato, Kaylie 1 ; Raye, Emma 1
RBI: Nieto, Grace 1 ; Avvisato, Kaylie 4 ; Raye, Emma 1 ; Donahey, Bridget 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Nieto, Grace 3 ; Nader, Kelsey 1 ; Avvisato, Kaylie 1 ; Raye, Emma 1 ; Renschen, Kate 1 ; Garden, Avery 1 ; Donahey, Bridget 1
SB: Avvisato, Kaylie 2 ; Robinson, Kansas 1
CS: Garden, Avery 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
3
RBI
4
AB
3
R
1
H
3
RBI
0
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
1
AB
2
R
3
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
OF
/ Softball
IF
/ Softball
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