JACKSON TOWNSHIP, N.J. – Talia Ross struck out 10 hitters to lead the Lock Haven softball team to a 3-0 victory over Wilmington (Del.) in a non-conference game to kick off the 2026 season on Friday morning. The Bald Eagles split the doubleheader, with Wilmington taking game two 10-0.  
 
The doubleheader was hosted in the Adventure Crossing USA Dome in Jackson Township, N.J. with Wilmington (Del.) as the host school.
 
Pitching and timely hitting led the Bald Eagles to victory in their opener as they wrap up opening weekend 1-1.
 
Game 1: Lock Haven 3, Wilmington (Del.) 0
In the opener, the Bald Eagles opened the scoring in the top of the second inning after Madison Hardy doubled down the left field line to plate Gianna Goodman.
 
Hardy extended the Bald Eagles lead to 2-0 after hitting into a fielder's choice, which led to a mishap at first base to allow Hailey Irwin to come all the way around to scored from second base to make it 2-0.
 
The Haven added an insurance run in the top of the seventh when Blaire Balestrini drove in Madison Melius with a single to center.
 
Ross, handled the rest, throwing a complete-game shutout, while fanning a game-high 10 hitters to lead the Bald Eagles to a 1-0 start to the season.
 
At the plate, The Haven scattered eight hits, led by a 3-for-3 debut from Goodman.  
 
Game 2: Wilmington (Del.) 10, Lock Haven 0
In game two, Wilmington's bats came alive as the Wildcats used 11 hits to jump out to a 10-0 advantage after two innings of play.
 
Lock Haven's pitching staff settled in from there, but the early deficit was too much to overcome and the Wildcats secured a 10-0 victory in five innings.
 
Faith Persing (three strikeouts) pitched scoreless frames in the third and fourth innings.
 
Abby Robertson and Maci Brodzina notched hits for Lock Haven.
 
Next up for The Haven:
The Bald Eagles will travel to Philadelphia, Pa. for a non-conference doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. at Holy Family on Tuesday, Feb. 24.