RHINELANDER, Wis. – Carroll University softball opened its 2026 season with a doubleheader against UW-Stevens Point on Saturday afternoon at the Hodag Dome, dropping a pair of games despite competitive stretches in both contests.

Game 1: UW-Stevens Point 2, Carroll 1

The Pioneers kept the opener close but came up just short in a 2–1 loss to the 13th-ranked Pointers.

UW-Stevens Point scored twice in the bottom of the first inning on a sacrifice fly and a bunt, taking an early lead that would hold for the remainder of the game. Carroll responded in the second inning when Kaylee Baker doubled to left-center field to drive in Grace O'Connor, cutting the deficit to 2–1.

Carroll threatened again in the fifth inning, loading the bases with one out, but Stevens Point worked out of the jam to preserve the lead. The Pioneers finished with four hits, including singles from Kali Stanchina and Addison Leck.

Mya Schneider turned in a strong start in the circle for Carroll, allowing just two runs on one hit across five innings while striking out one. Makayla Wall worked a scoreless sixth inning in relief.

Game 2: UW-Stevens Point 9, Carroll 1

The Pointers broke the nightcap open with a five-run third inning and went on to secure a 9–1 win in six innings.

Stevens Point scored once in the first inning and then capitalized on timely hits and Carroll miscues in the third to extend the lead to 6–0. Carroll got on the scoreboard in the fourth inning when Addison Leck drove in a run on a groundout, but the Pointers answered with three more runs, including a two-run home run in the sixth.

Carroll collected five hits in the second game, led by singles from Abigail Curtis, Kali Stanchina, Grace O'Connor, Madison Hoagland, and Gianna Buske.

Makayla Grantz started in the circle for Carroll, with Madelyn Eckl and Wall also seeing action in relief.

Carroll will look to build on the weekend as it continues its early-season schedule next week back in Rhinelander with a double header against MSOE on February 26th.