🥎 Troy Newcomers Make Instant Impact as Trojans Open Season 2–0 with Twin Run-Rule Wins

Transfers and freshmen fuel explosive offense while dominant pitching carries Troy past Middle Tennessee and Chattanooga at the Trojan Classic

TROY, Ala. | The Troy Trojans softball wasted no time setting the tone for the 2026 season, rolling to a pair of emphatic run-rule victories over Middle Tennessee Blue Raiders softball and Chattanooga Mocs softball on Friday night at the Trojan Classic.

Behind an explosive offense and poised pitching performances, Troy (2–0) extended its dominance in season openers, improving to 4–0 under head coach Eric Newell while showcasing a revamped roster loaded with immediate contributors.

Power Four transfers Kyye Ricks and Ella Cunningham headlined the opening day surge. Ricks finished 3-for-8 with four RBIs and two doubles across the doubleheader, while Cunningham went 3-for-5 with three RBIs and a double, igniting a lineup that delivered crooked numbers in both contests.

“It was a great day to be a Trojan,” Newell said. “The offense really showed out, and the pitching was clutch—especially in game two. We did a lot of things right, but it’s still day one.”

Game 1: Troy 11, Middle Tennessee 3

The Trojans opened the tournament with authority, run-ruling Middle Tennessee behind a decisive seven-run fifth inning.

After the Blue Raiders jumped out to an early 2–0 lead, Troy responded immediately. Makaley Boswell sparked the rally with a walk before Cunningham’s bloop single brought her home. With the bases loaded, true freshman Jasmine Lawrence delivered a clutch two-RBI single in her first collegiate at-bat, flipping the game’s momentum.

🥎 Cauley Fires No-Hitter as AUM Softball Rolls to Twin Run-Rule Wins at CSU Invitational

Reese Cauley headlines a dominant day as the Warhawks blast Florida Southern and blank host Columbus State in five innings

MONTGOMERY, Ala. | The Auburn University at Montgomery Warhawks made a thunderous early-season statement Friday, riding a historic no-hitter from Reese Cauley and an explosive offense to a pair of dominant victories at the Columbus State Invitational.

AUM (4-0) opened the day with a 10–3 win over the Florida Southern Mocs, then closed with a five-inning, 10–0 shutout of host Columbus State Cougars, punctuated by Cauley’s first no-hitter of the season.

“Super proud of our team today,” head coach Wilkes Laney said. “Our offense came alive. We had double-digit hits, double-digit runs, and everyone contributed. And Reese throwing a no-hitter was big time. We did a lot of things right.”