IRVINE, Calif. – Hope International scored five runs late in its game against OUAZ to earn 6-3 victory in the opening game of the 2026 GSAC Softball Championship on Tuesday at the OC Great Park.
With the score tied 1-1, the Royals loaded the bases on Spirit reliever Alexis Ayersman via a single and two walks. Chey Navarro delivered a huge two-out single up the middle to score Emma McCraw and Dejalei Visesio for the 3-1 lead.Â
OUAZ tied the score with two runs in the bottom half as Brianna Humphries and Ava Seguin drew bases-loaded walks.
But the Royals came right back with a three-run sixth, with Little producing an RBI double to give them a 4-3 lead. HIU loaded the bases on Ayersman – and OUAZ reentered starting pitcher Stephanie Cortazar. Visesio had an RBI groundout and Gabriela Holmes followed with an RBI base hit as HIU led 6-3.
HIU starter Kaitlyn Maaske faced a bases loaded situation in the bottom half with two outs, but got Kinzy Creighton to pop out to squash the threat.
In the seventh, with two runners aboard, Maaske induced pinch hitter Sophie Jackson into a game-ending double play to polish off the complete game win. She improved to 15-11, scattering seven hits and working around five walks. She struck out six.
Ayersman took the loss after allowing five hits and five runs in 5.2 innings.
Little went 4-for-5 with two RBI and Lily Hernandez had a 2-for-5 day at the plate. Breanna Lucero finished 3-for-3 with a run scored.
The third-seeded Royals advanced to the winner's bracket against No. 4 seed Embry-Riddle on Wednesday at noon.
