MANKATO, MINN. — The Mankato Habaneros took the field at ISG Field on Friday night for their first matchup against the undefeated Madison Night Mares.

Madison struck first in the opening inning when Tele Jennings (University of Arizona) delivered an RBI single, giving the Night Mares an early 1-0 lead.

Both teams were held scoreless in the second inning, while the Habaneros were unable to break through in the third and fourth. Madison added two runs to extend its advantage to 3-0 before capitalizing on a Mankato error in the fourth inning to score three more runs and take a 6-0 lead.

The Night Mares pushed across another run on a passed ball in the fifth, increasing their lead to 7-0.

Mankato got on the board in the sixth inning when Ava Parent (University of Wisconsin) crossed the plate, cutting the deficit to 7-1. The Habaneros also held Madison scoreless in the inning for the first time all night.

The Night Mares were again held scoreless in the seventh as Mankato mounted a late rally. Olivia Pichardo (University of California) scored the first run of her softball career, making the score 7-2.

Parent and Melanie Spivey (Minnesota State University Moorhead) opened the inning with singles before Sailor Hall (Pittsburg State University) drove in both runners with an RBI double, trimming the deficit to 7-4.

Katy Olive (Miami University, Ohio) followed with a single, and Kylinn Stangl (University of Minnesota) added another hit, scoring Hall and bringing the Habaneros within two runs.

Mankato’s comeback effort fell short, as Madison held on for a 7-5 victory.

The Habaneros and Night Mares will meet again on Sunday for a doubleheader at ISG Field. First pitch for Game 1 is scheduled for 5:05 p.m., with Game 2 set to follow at 7:35 p.m.

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Leveraging the 32-year success of the Northwoods League, the first for-profit Summer Collegiate Baseball League, Northwoods League Softball (NWLS) is the first for-profit Women’s Summer Collegiate Softball League that began play in the Upper Midwest in the summer of 2024.  The purpose of the League will be to develop players for their college, Olympic and future professional play.  Teams will be promoted similar to minor league baseball teams, playing games in front of fans in a fun, friendly, family-oriented environment.