Patriots Power Past State College of Florida in Season Opener

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (0-1, 0-0)	1	0	0	1	0	3	0	5	9	1
College of Central Florida (1-0, 0-0)	0	2	0	1	1	2	X	6	7	4

Final	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	R	H	E
State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota (0-2, 0-0)	0	0	2	5	0	0	0	7	9	1
College of Central Florida (2-0, 0-0)	2	0	2	1	3	3	X	11	7	3

Photo: Hunter Wingate

Game 2

Pitching

Win: Hannah Crosby (1-0)

Loss: Dava Hoffer (0-1)

Batting

State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota

2B: Cailinne Kelly

3B: none

HR: none

College of Central Florida

2B: none

3B: none

HR: Madison McCabe; Naomi Meyer

full stats

Posted: Jan 26, 2026

OCALA, FL – The College of Central Florida softball team kicked off their 2026 season in style on Saturday, securing two wins over State College of Florida at the CF Softball Complex. The Pats won game one 6-5 and in the second game of the scheduled doubleheader, the Patriots' offense exploded for 11 runs, fueled by timely hitting and a powerful display from the heart of the lineup.

Game 1

Behind a complete-game performance from pitcher Tiara Chavis and timely hitting, the Patriots fought back to secure the win.

Chavis was the story of the day for the Patriots, tossing all seven innings to earn her first win of the season. Chavis showed remarkable poise, navigating 120 pitches and striking out three batters while limiting State College of Florida to just three earned runs on eight hits. Despite a three-run outburst by the Manatees in the sixth inning, Chavis remained composed to close out the game in the seventh.

The Patriots' offense provided the necessary support, tallying seven hits and capitalising on opportunities throughout the contest. After surrendering the lead in the top of the sixth, the Patriot offense answered right back to take the lead. Payton Livingston got on base with a single and was sacrificed over to second by Vayla Mansfield. Hope Jordan and Kaylee Riles both walked to load the bases for Madison McCabe who came up big with a ground ball single to tie the game. Jordan would later score during the next at bat to take the lead 6-5.

Payton Livingston: Led the charge with a 2-for-4 performance at the plate, driving in two runs and scoring once.
Madison McCabe: Went 3-for-4 with an RBI.
Abbie Roach & Samantha Albert: Each contributed an RBI to help build the early lead.
Hope Jordan & Kaylee Riles: Combined for three runs scored.

Game 2

The Patriots' bats were alive from the start. Madison McCabe and Naomi Meyer provided the highlight-reel moments, each launching a home run to help propel the Central Florida lead. McCabe was a driving force throughout the afternoon, finishing the game with four RBIs.

Central Florida struck early, putting up two runs in the first inning to take an early lead. While State College of Florida managed to keep pace temporarily with a five-run outburst in the fourth, the Patriots responded back. CF added three runs in both the fifth and sixth innings to pull away and seal the win.

Olivia Douglas started in the circle and gave the Patriots three innings of work surrendering three runs on five hits while walking two. Hannah Crosby earned the win in relief. She tossed four innings allowing four runs on just four hits while striking out one batter.

This season opener also marked a successful debut for new head coach Rick Walker, who took the helm this season with a goal of returning the program to the postseason. The Patriots' opening performance suggests a promising season ahead.

Up Next

Following this home opener, the Patriots will head to the annual Florida JUCO Kickoff Classic at ROC Park in Madeira Beach, FL. They are scheduled to face the US Air Force Academy and Pensacola State on Friday, January 30 and then Georgia Military College and Walters State on Saturday.