Melbourne, Fla. -- The first games of the 2026 season finally arrived for the Wheaton softball program today, as the team returned to the Atlantic coast of Florida for its annual Spring Break slate. The Thunder kicked off their four-day run in the Sunshine State with matchups against Shenandoah University and Messiah University on Monday, marking Wheaton's first-ever meetings against these opponents. Shenandoah stifled the Orange and Blue, 4-0, in this morning's first contest, before Messiah outlasted the Thunder in a dramatic 5-4 result this afternoon.

The Virginia program got off to a fast start in today's opening fixture, tallying three runs in the first two innings to build an early lead on the scoreboard. But Shenandoah earned the win thanks to strong defensive play, led by a complete game no-hitter from its starting pitcher. The junior logged seven strikeouts in as many innings and was three outs away from a perfect game, before Ava Hartnett (pictured right) drew a walk to start Wheaton's final batting series. Another walk gave the Thunder a glimmer of hope for a late rally with two runners on base, but the Hornets collected the final out needed to secure their shutout win. 

Shenandoah posted eight hits, stole three bags, and did not commit any errors in an impressive outing. Wheaton stranded five Hornets on base and surrendered only two walks. Nori Kang earned the Thunder's second walk of the seventh inning, while Shylah Dozeman pitched all seven frames and sat down six Shenandoah batters.
 

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Messiah plated four runs in its first batting series of Monday's second contest, but Wheaton tallied its first points of the year with a four-run sequence of its own in the following inning.

Mia Reinhard walked and was eventually able to reach third base following a wild pitch and a Kennedy Kemp single into right-center field. Hartnett matched this delivery with her first collegiate RBI to score Reinhard and advance both Kemp and Madeleine Hillyer. Fellow rookie Kang 
(pictured left) then ripped a double into right center that brought home all three runners on base and tied the score at 4-4.

After an exciting first two innings, the game settled into a scoreless stalemate, as neither team reached home plate in the subsequent four frames. Just four runners in total were left on base between the second and sixth innings, as both defenses came to the fore.

But Wheaton nearly ended the offensive drought in the top of the sixth, as a fielder's choice and a walk put two players on base. The Falcons forced a ground out to prevent either from circling the bases, however, and the score remained level at four runs apiece.

Kang led off the final frame with a single, and pinch runner Makena Malecha was allowed to make it to third base in a fielder's choice situation. But the Pennsylvania squad tallied the third out to keep Wheaton off the board and managed to steal the win in the bottom half as their lead-off hitter eventually made it around the diamond to give Messiah a decisive fifth run. 

The Falcons tallied nine hits to the Thunder's five this afternoon and committed one error while Wheaton had three. Messiah also stole three bases compared to Wheaton's one stolen bag. The Thunder drew six walks and only struck out twice but left eight runners on base, twice as many as the Falcons.

Rookie pitcher Dillon Watson threw for all seven innings of game two and collected one strikeout in her collegiate debut. Kang was the Thunder's offensive leader, registering two hits and a game-leading three RBI. Hartnett and Kemp each contributed one hit and one score, with the former earning an RBI and the latter stealing a base. Hillyer and Reinhard both scored one run, and Abby Whitehead posted one hit.

After a pair of competitive defeats to begin the new season, Wheaton will look to earn its first win of 2026 on Tuesday when the team returns to the Space Coast Complex for another non-conference doubleheader. The Thunder are set to face Franciscan University at 10:00 AM local time before a 12:15 PM (EDT) matchup against fellow Illinois side, Greenville University.