MELBOUNRE, Fla. – The Baldwin Wallace University softball team opened the 2026 season as it swept a pair of non-conference games on the first day of the Space Coast Spring Games at the Space Coast Softball Complex.
BW (2-0) opened the day by shutting out Nebraska Wesleyan University (4-3) by a final score of 6-0. The Yellow Jackets closed day one with a 4-2 victory over Lakeland (Wis.) University (1-3).
Against Nebraska Wesleyan, BW scored six runs on 11 hits as it plated one run in fifth inning and five in the seventh. The Prairie Wolves were held scoreless on four hits.
At the Plate
- Freshman shortstop Morgan Palos (Elyria) went 3-for-4 with two runs batted-in (RBIs), run scored and stolen base
- Junior first baseman Lexie Vaillant (Bowling Green/Perrysburg) went 2-for-3 with a double, run scored and RBI
- Junior Academic All-Ohio Athletic Conference catcher Mia Strizak (Middleburg Heights/Berea-Midpark) went 2-for-4
- Four other Yellow Jackets had a base knock
In the Circle
- Sophomore right-hander Breckyn Daniel (Berea/Berea-Midpark) made her first collegiate start and earned the complete game shutout victory as she did not allow a run on four hits with four strikeouts and a walk
Against Lakeland, BW scored four runs on five hits as it plated two runs in the third and fifth innings. The Muskies scored two runs on six hits as they pushed both of their runs across the plate in the fourth inning.
At the Plate
- Palos went 2-for-3 with a run scored
- Three other Yellow Jackets had a base hit highlighted by the double each from senior Academic All-OAC right fielder Sam Smearman (Middleburg Heights/Berea-Midpark) and senior pitcher Katie Barnhart (North Ridgeville)
In the Circle
- Barnhart earned the complete game victory as she allowed two runs on six hits with three strikeouts and two walks
BW is back in action on Tuesday, March 10 when it continues play at the Space Coast Spring Games with non-conference games against Rivier (N.H.) University and Wisconsin Lutheran College at 2:30 and 4:45 p.m., respectively.
