BARTLESVILLE, Okla. - The Independence Softball team kicked off their 2026 campaign with a pair of losses to the Oklahoma Wesleyan JV team, falling 4-2 in game one, and falling just short of a final rally, losing 8-6 in game two.

In game one, the Pirates struck early with a two-RBI double off the bat of Kamdyn Minnick. The Pirates offense cooled off after the first inning, only mustering one more hit the rest of the game. Athena Broaddus was solid in the circle in her collegiate debut, running into some trouble in the fifth inning, and ultimately taking the tough luck loss. She surrendered seven hits, four runs and had a pair of strikeouts in seven innings of work. Kylie Porschien had the other lone hit for Indy. 

In game two, it was defensive struggles that haunted the Pirates, as seven of the eight runs surrendered by starting pitcher Londyn Dempster were unearned runs. Midway through the game the Pirates clawed their way back to a 6-3 deficit, before surrendering two more runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. Down to their final three outs, the Pirates scratched across three runs, and had the tying runs in scoring position, but a groundout ended the game, sending Indy to an 0-2 start to the season. 

In game two, seven of the nine Pirate starters got a hit, led by sophomore Maddison Wammock, who went 2-4 and had 3 RBI. Alexis Yarnell, Londyn Dempster, and Na'Brai'Jhanae Phillips each drove in a run as well. 

The Pirates will continue their first week of action, as they travel to Harrison, Arkansas for a pair of doubleheaders at North Arkansas College. They will play Thursday, February 12th, at 12:00 and 4:00 PM.