SURPRISE, Ariz. - The Simpson softball team split with Ottawa University today in a Twin-bill to begin the 2026 season. 

Back-to-back hits to begin the game by Nicolena Holen and Ariel Schulzkump set the stage for a two-run first inning highlighted by an RBI single by Brianna Lopez-Cortez. 

Simpson added a pair of runs in the top of the second inning on an infield single by Rebekah Millan and a bases-loaded walk to Kassandra Soria. 

Lopez-Cortez deposited her first long ball of the year to left field to extend Simpson's lead while coming through in the sixth inning with a clutch two-out bases-clearing double into left center to stretch the Red Hawks' lead to 8-0. 

Ottawa scratched one run on the board in the top of the sixth inning to extend the game on a two-out RBI double into the left-center gap by Alexis Rodriguez. 

But the Red Hawks countered with five runs in the top of the seventh inning on a pair of two-run doubles into right center by Holen and Lopez-Cortez, while Schulzkump added an RBI single. 

Reigning 2025 Cal Pac Pitcher of the Year, Jacquelyn Lujan fired the complete game three-hitter to cement the 13-1 season-opening victory. 

Lujan flexed her arm in the circle as she earned her first win of the year. She fired 7.0 innings of one-run ball while striking out six batters and scattering three hits. 

The Red Hawks' offense exploded for 13 runs off 14 hits as Lopez-Cortez led the way with a three-hit game that included seven RBIs on three extra base hits. 

Holen followed close behind with a three-for-five game that included a two-run double. 

Olivia Bicondova, Rebekah Millan, and Schulzkump all notched two-hit performances as they combined for two RBIs and five runs scored. 

Game 2: 

Simpson drew first blood in the top of the first inning as a one-out single by Schulzkump came around to score on a double by Lopez-Cortez as she posted her eighth run driven in on the day. 

Ottawa evened the score in the bottom of the third inning on a one-out double by Savannah Sutton into the right-center gap. 

Simpson's starter Grace Chojnacki kept the Spirit offense at Bay as she danced out of danger in the fifth and sixth innings, stranding the tying runs on base in back-to-back innings. 

A two-out rally in the top of the fifth inning allowed the Red Hawks to load the bases on two walks and a hit by pitch to allow Kahiwa Ili to drive in the go-ahead run on a RBI single back up the middle. 

Ottawa tied the game in the bottom of the seventh inning on a solo blast to right-center field by Ava Seguin. Back-to-back one-out singles set the stage for the walk-off single by Alexis Jimenez to take the 3-2 come-from-behind victory. 

Chojnacki took the tough loss as she fired 6.1 innings of work while allowing three runs off seven hits, while striking out five batters. 

The Simpson offense combined for seven hits as Lopez-Cortez and Ili notched an RBI in the loss. 

Simpson looks to bounce back as they take on Benedictine University, Mesa at 4 pm and 6 pm (MST) tomorrow. 

Be sure to stay up to date and follow us at @simpsonredhawks on Instagram, Facebook, and X.