Weber State University Athletics
Friday, February 6
Phoenix, AZ
1:15 PM
Weber State University
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Santa Clara
2-0
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Weber St.
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Santa Clara
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Photo by: Greg Merrill
Wildcat softball opens season at Kickoff Classic
2/6/2026 9:29:00 PM | Softball
PHOENIX, Arizona - Weber State softball began its 2026 season at the Kickoff Classic with two losses. A 6-4 defeat against the Broncos and a 3-0 decision to the Lopes.
Game One: Weber State 4, Santa Clara 6
A two-run home run hit to left field by the Broncos Hazyl Gray in the bottom of the first inning gave Santa Clara the initial lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, Santa Clara managed to score a third run, which was unearned due to a fielding error by the Wildcats.
Weber State's Taegan Smith brought in the first run of the season in the top of the fourth inning as she scored on a Santa Clara throwing error.Â
The Wildcats made their comeback in the fifth inning when Sadie Kirk doubled down the left field line for two RBI.Â
Shortly after, Apollonia Maldonado singled to right center for an RBI to put the 'Cats on top 4-3.
A Weber State pitching change came in the bottom of the sixth, as Joslynn Veltien replaced Jade Curiel.Â
The Broncos regained the lead in the sixth off a two-RBI single and then extended it on an RBI double to left center field to go up 6-4.Â
Despite a seventh-inning effort, Weber State failed to generate any more offense, stranding one Wildcat and ultimately losing the game to the Broncos with a final score of 6-4.
Weber State's offense saw Kirk go 2-for-3, including a double and two RBI. Maldonado contributed one RBI with a 1-for-4 performance. Freshman pitcher Curiel was credited with the loss, pitching 3.2 innings and recording two strikeouts.
Game Two: Weber State 0, Grand Canyon 3
Grand Canyon was first on the board as they utilized a double to left center to bring in an RBI.Â
In the top of the third inning, singles from Mariyah Delgado and Jordan Hart put the Wildcats on base, but they were unable to convert the hits into runs to tie the score.
Grand Canyon's Haley Wilkinson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, allowing the Lopes to extend their advantage and making the score 3-0.
Despite totaling two hits in the final three innings, Weber State couldn't capitalize on its offense, and Grand Canyon secured the 3-0 victory.
Freshman Kendall Freidinger pitched a complete game, facing 23 batters and recording three strikeouts.Â
Kickoff Classic Schedule
2/7 vs. Santa Clara | 10:30 a.m.
2/7 vs. Southern Utah | 6:30 p.m.
2/8 vs. Southern Utah | 12:30 p.m.Â
Keeping up with the 'Cats
Game One: Weber State 4, Santa Clara 6
A two-run home run hit to left field by the Broncos Hazyl Gray in the bottom of the first inning gave Santa Clara the initial lead.
In the bottom of the third inning, Santa Clara managed to score a third run, which was unearned due to a fielding error by the Wildcats.
Weber State's Taegan Smith brought in the first run of the season in the top of the fourth inning as she scored on a Santa Clara throwing error.Â
The Wildcats made their comeback in the fifth inning when Sadie Kirk doubled down the left field line for two RBI.Â
Shortly after, Apollonia Maldonado singled to right center for an RBI to put the 'Cats on top 4-3.
A Weber State pitching change came in the bottom of the sixth, as Joslynn Veltien replaced Jade Curiel.Â
The Broncos regained the lead in the sixth off a two-RBI single and then extended it on an RBI double to left center field to go up 6-4.Â
Despite a seventh-inning effort, Weber State failed to generate any more offense, stranding one Wildcat and ultimately losing the game to the Broncos with a final score of 6-4.
Weber State's offense saw Kirk go 2-for-3, including a double and two RBI. Maldonado contributed one RBI with a 1-for-4 performance. Freshman pitcher Curiel was credited with the loss, pitching 3.2 innings and recording two strikeouts.
Game Two: Weber State 0, Grand Canyon 3
Grand Canyon was first on the board as they utilized a double to left center to bring in an RBI.Â
In the top of the third inning, singles from Mariyah Delgado and Jordan Hart put the Wildcats on base, but they were unable to convert the hits into runs to tie the score.
Grand Canyon's Haley Wilkinson hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning, allowing the Lopes to extend their advantage and making the score 3-0.
Despite totaling two hits in the final three innings, Weber State couldn't capitalize on its offense, and Grand Canyon secured the 3-0 victory.
Freshman Kendall Freidinger pitched a complete game, facing 23 batters and recording three strikeouts.Â
Kickoff Classic Schedule
2/7 vs. Santa Clara | 10:30 a.m.
2/7 vs. Southern Utah | 6:30 p.m.
2/8 vs. Southern Utah | 12:30 p.m.Â
Keeping up with the 'Cats
- All home and Big Sky games will be streamed on ESPN+.Â
- To stay up to date with the softball team, follow them on social media @wsusoftball.Â
- The Weber State Athletics mobile app enables fans to easily access results, schedules, rosters and news. Available for iPhone and Android users, search "Weber State Wildcats" and download the app today!
Team Stats
Pitching:
W: Ferguson, Cari (1-0)
L: Curiel, Jade (0-1)
Batting:
2B: Kirk, Sadie 1
RBI: Kirk, Sadie 2 ; Maldonado, Apollonia 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Smith, Taegan 2 ; Bingham, Emma 1 ; Kirk, Sadie 1
SB: Smith, Taegan 1 ; McMahon, Jordan 1 ; Bingham, Emma 1
HBP: Grundy, Abby 1 ; Bingham, Emma 1
Batting:
2B: Gray, Hazyl 1
HR: Gray, Hazyl 1
RBI: Gray, Hazyl 3 ; Rubio, Rebecca 2
SH: Curran, Cairah 1 ; Martorella, Marie 1
Base Running:
RUNS: Curran, Cairah 1 ; Gray, Hazyl 1 ; Golob, Caitlyn 1 ; Merlino, Elle 1 ; Martorella, Marie 1 ; Rubio, Rebecca 1
SB: Curran, Cairah 2 ; Rubio, Rebecca 1
HBP: Clements, Taryn 1
Game Leaders
AB
3
R
1
H
2
RBI
2
ss/dh
AB
4
R
2
H
1
RBI
0
AB
2
R
0
H
1
RBI
0
AB
4
R
0
H
1
RBI
1
Players Mentioned
P
/ Softball
C
/ Softball
P
/ Softball
C/UTL
/ Softball
INF
/ Softball
C/1B/3B
/ Softball
UTL
/ Softball
P
/ SoftballBeyond the Bases: Episode 1
Thursday, September 11
NCAA Regionals Highlights
Tuesday, May 20
NCAA Tournament post-game press conference
Monday, May 19
Softball Big Sky Tournament Highlights
Wednesday, May 14