AMERICUS, Ga. – Georgia Southwestern softball opened the 2026 season in emphatic fashion Saturday afternoon at Lady Canes Field, sweeping Savannah State University in a dominant Opening Day doubleheader and continuing a trend of success against the Tigers with the program's fifth straight win in the series since joining the NCAA.
The Hurricanes (2-0) used a relentless offense and steady pitching to roll to a 13-4 win in five innings in the opener before closing the day with a 9-1 victory in Game 2 called after five innings, highlighted by a towering home run from
Peyton Namyslowski that cleared the scoreboard in left-center.
Top Performers – Opening Day
- Peyton Namyslowski: 4-for-6, 4 runs, 4 RBI, 2 home runs, stolen base
- Maggie McDonald: 1-for-3, 2 runs, 4 RBI, home run; earned win in Game 1 (3.0 IP)
- Madison Griffis: 2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI, home run
- Kendall Huelsman: 2-for-5, 2 runs, 2 RBI, double
- Rebecca Hazard: 2-for-3, 3 runs, 2 RBI
- Caylee Johnson: Win in Game 2; 4.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 4 K
Game 1: Hurricanes erupt early to take control
GSW wasted no time setting the tone in the opener, answering a Savannah State run in the top of the first with a seven-run bottom half that immediately put the game out of reach.
After RBI hits from Hazard and Namyslowski tied the game, McDonald delivered the biggest blow of the inning, launching a grand slam to left field to give GSW a commanding 6-1 advantage.
Lani Dansby followed with a triple, and
Madison Banks capped the frame with an RBI single as the Hurricanes sent 11 batters to the plate.
GSW continued to build on the lead throughout the afternoon, scoring five more runs in the third inning behind a solo home run from Griffis and a mix of aggressive baserunning and timely hitting. Namyslowski added her first home run of the season in the fourth, finishing the opener 2-for-3 with two RBIs and a stolen base.
McDonald earned the win in the circle in her season debut, allowing three runs over three innings before turning things over to
Jacquelyn Burns, who closed the door with two solid innings of relief.
Game 2: Namyslowski goes yard as GSW completes sweep
The nightcap remained scoreless through two innings before the Hurricanes broke through in the third, using a four-run outburst to seize control. An RBI single from Hazard got things started before Griffis delivered a bases-clearing hit to push the lead to 4-0.
GSW added to the cushion in the fourth, highlighted by Namyslowski's unforgettable two-run homer that sailed over the scoreboard and ignited the home crowd. The blast gave the Hurricanes an 8-0 advantage and served as the exclamation point on a strong Opening Day performance.
Huelsman finished with a pair of RBIs in the second game, while
Erin Garland provided a spark off the bench with a pinch-hit double in the fifth inning.
In the circle, Johnson was dominant in her GSW debut, tossing four scoreless innings while striking out four to earn the win. Burns again provided late relief as the Hurricanes sealed the sweep.
With the doubleheader sweep, GSW not only opened the season unbeaten but continued its perfect mark against Savannah State since the Hurricanes transition to NCAA competition in 2006-07 — doing so in convincing fashion under sunny skies at Lady Canes Field.
Next Up
The Lady Hurricanes host Florida Southern College on Sunday for a nonconference doubleheader starting at 1 p.m.
