FOUR RBI FROM BEAMAN HELPS SOFTBALL SPLIT SEASON OPENER WITH HASTINGS

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Hitting the diamond for the first time in 2026, Avila softball split the opening day doubleheader with Hastings, winning game one, 11-3 in six innings, before dropping game two, 2-0.

In the opener, Avila's three, four and five hitters accounted for eight RBI, including four from reigning KCAC Freshman of the Year, Abi Beaman.

Avila got their scoring started in the bottom of the first with an RBI single from Stephanie Hayes. Hastings would add a solo homer their next time at bat to tie the game at 1-1.

The bottom of the third saw Avila score three runs on a pair of extra-base hits from Emily Branson and Beaman.

After the Broncos added two more in the fourth and fifth innings, the Eagles put the game away in the fifth and sixth frames.

Hayes added another RBI with a triple to left and two batters later, McKayla Cotton scored Emily Collins on a single of her own. Madison Kelly scored two on an RBI single to give Avila an 8-3 lead entering the sixth inning.

In the sixth, Beaman added two more RBI to bring Cotton to the plate with a chance to mercy-rule Hastings.

The game's starting pitcher came through with a walk-off sac fly to left to score Emily Branson and finalize the 11-3 score.

Hayes, Beaman and Cotton accounted for five hits and eight RBI in the contest while leadoff hitter Laila Rueda scored all four times she reached base.

The second game did not go Avila's way as the Eagle offense struck out 11 times and only had five baserunners.

Faith Heaster pitched 6.0 solid innings, allowing just two hits while striking out five.

Both Hastings runs came on wild pitches as the Avila pitching staff held the Broncos to just three base hits – and just one extra-base knock.

Avila will head east this weekend to take on Park and Columbia on Saturday on the campus of Columbia College before returning to Kansas City for four games on Feb. 14-15 from the Homefield Complex in Kansas City, Kan.