The 2026 season for the Utah State Eastern softball team began with a long drive to Yuma, Arizona, to face Luna Community College and Arizona Western College. The Eagles faced Luna once and Arizona Western three times.
The Eagles opened the season with a convincing, 7-0 victory over Luna CC. Ajla Hadzialijagic led the Eagles with a 3-3 day, recording three RBIs in her performance. Seven different Eagles recorded a hit, and pitchers Allie Fowler and Charlotte Turner combined for eight strikeouts.
The second game of the doubleheader was against the hosts, Arizona Western. The Eagles played well defensively, limiting the Matadors to just four runs, but they were unable to generate offense, falling 4-0.
The Eagles and Matadors squared off to start the second day of competition. The Eagles jumped out to an early 4-0 lead, but AWC's comeback late in the game led to extra innings, where Arizona Western defeated the Eagles, 6-5.
The final game of the weekend started with Eastern taking a 2-0 lead after the second inning. After that point, Arizona Western rattled off nine-straight runs to beat the Eagles, 9-2.
Lexi Hardman led the Eagles with five hits on the weekend, while Brooklyn Zajac and Ajla Hadzialijagic combined for six RBIs on the weekend.
Next, the Eagles will travel to Trinidad, Colorado, where they will play one game against Colby Community College and then three against Trinidad State College. Doubleheaders are scheduled for Friday and Saturday.
