Softball kicks off 2026 season at the NAIA Leadoff Tournament

(Rosemont, IL) - The Rochester Christian softball team kicked off its 2026 season on Thursday afternoon with a pair of games at the NAIA Leadoff Tournament in Rosemont, Illinois. The Warriors would first take on the Judson Eagles, then play the St. Francis (IL) Fighting Saints. 

GAME 1 - JUDSON 11, ROCHESTER CHRISTIAN 4

Kaylie Rickert (0-1) pitched the first 3.1 innings of the game, allowing three runs with a pair of strikeouts. Emily Leusby came in in relief of Rickert, pitching the final 3.2 innings, allowing three earned runs with a strikeout. 

The Eagles got on the board in each of the first two innings, tallying a run in each. The bottom of the second inning saw RCU get on the board following three straight players getting on base to begin the inning. Angelina Viviano got hit by a pitch, with Emma Hoover following it up with a single. Emma Cronkright was able to get an RBI single to score Viviano. 

The third inning saw the Warriors tie up the game with a Makayla Lezotte sacrifice bunt that scored Chloe Gildea. Judson tallied four runs over the next two innings to regain the lead. 

The Warriors would draw within two runs in the fifth inning with Jaya Forti hitting in Emily Leusby and Chloe Gildea scoring on a wild pitch. Judson was able to extend their run in the sixth and seventh innings to earn the win. 

GAME 2 - ST. FRANCIS (IL) 8, ROCHESTER CHRISTIAN 0 - 6 INNINGS

Amber Lamphier (0-1) started the game in the pitching circle, going 5.1 innings pitched with seven hits allowed, striking out two batters. 

Following a quick first inning on both ends, Angelina Viviano doubled to start the top of the second and nearly made it home after a pair of sacrifice bunts. The Fighting Saints threatened in the bottom half of the inning, but RCU was able to escape the inning unscathed. 

The Fighting Saints' offense would start to hit it off in the third inning, starting a streak of four straight innings tallying runs, to eventually earn the 8-0 win. 

TOP PERFORMERS

Emma Hoover and Angelina Viviano both recorded a pair of hits on the day to pace the offense, while Makayla Lezotte, Emma Cronkright, and Jaya Forti each had an RBI on the day. 

UP NEXT

The Warriors will continue play tomorrow, February 13, at the Rosemont Dome with a doubleheader against Trinity Christian and Indiana-South Bend at 8 and 10 PM EST.