Last Thursday, Middlebury softball held its season opening doubleheader at home against Clarkson University, winning both games. After a strong season last year with a 23–12 record, the Panthers are looking to build on previous successes as they start the 2025 season.
“Last year we missed the NCAA tournament by one game, so this year we have a chip on our shoulder and expect nothing less for ourselves than a bid to the NCAAs,” Kelley Dever ’27 told The Campus. “We’ve worked extremely hard in the off season to prepare for the season and we are ready to go!”
In the opening game against Clarkson, the Panthers took the victory, winning 3–1. Three hours later, they won the second game by an even greater margin, 5–1.
In the opener, Middlebury wasted no time setting the tone. Kristyn Carroll ’26 set the tone early with a leadoff double at the bottom of the first inning, then McKenna Lont ’26 reached first on a fielder’s choice. After Lont stole second base on a wild pitch, Olivia Scholes ’27 hit a double, bringing both runners home for an early 2–0 lead. Jennifer Westphal ’26 later added to the team’s tally with a groundout that brought Scholes home. With strong teamwork and momentum in the first inning, Middlebury controlled the rest of the game.
At the top of the third inning, Westphal stopped Clarkson from getting on the scoreboard with a hustle play that ended with pitcher Samantha Hausman ’25 tagging out a Clarkson player at home plate. The Golden Knights eventually got on the board with a solo home run in the fourth, narrowing the gap 3–1.
With no scores on either side in the fifth inning, Carroll threatened to extend the lead in the sixth after stealing second and third base off a single, but the Panthers couldn’t bring her home. Nevertheless, Middlebury held on, securing the win without needing a final at-bat.
Just a few hours later, the Panthers and Golden Knights faced off again, for the second game of their doubleheader. It seemed as if the tables may have turned when Clarkson reached the scoreboard first off an RBI single, but Middlebury quickly responded. Westphal reached home on a fielding error to tie the game at the bottom of the second inning.
With a quick three outs to start the third inning, the Panthers were prepared to break the tie. With two runners on base, Uma Corcoran ’28 hit a single to bring Scholes home. Later that inning, Westphal took advantage of another throwing error by Clarkson, crossing home and tallying the Panther’s total to three runs. Middlebury tacked on two more runs in the fourth, as Carroll scored on a catcher error and Olivia Fleming ’28 crossed home and put the Panthers at a 5–1 advantage.
Clarkson made a final effort to gain their momentum back in the seventh, loading the bases with two outs, but Emily Ye ’28 forced a flyout to center field, officially sealing the Panthers’ second victory of the day.
These wins mark the start of what the team said is sure to be a season full of teamwork, hard work and success for the Panthers.
“I think a successful season for us would be to be a tough competitor in the NESCAC, and winning the championship would obviously be extremely exciting and something I would love to accomplish with my teammates this season,” Abby Jankowski ’25 said.
The team’s fearless baserunning, unstoppable hitting and dominant pitching will be key as the Panthers look ahead to their next series of games taking place over spring break.
“We are looking to come back from Florida with a bunch of wins that will set us up nicely for NESCAC play. Those games are a lot of fun, tons of rivalry and history between teams that only ups the stakes. There is no bad team in the NESCAC, so really it’s who shows up to play and compete the hardest that wins,” Dever said.
On Monday, the Panthers hosted Castleton University for another doubleheader, with back-to-back 8–0 wins in a mere five innings each time. Highlights from Monday’s games include Lont, who went five-for-five at the plate, Carroll’s three RBIs, and Hausman, who only allowed one single and struck out four batters. These additional victories improved the Panthers’ record to an impressive 4–0 winning streak.
The team will hope to continue their momentum as they prepare to participate in the largest collegiate softball event, THE Spring Games, where they will face top competition from teams all over the country in Florida.
