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Box Score 2 Mesquite, TX | February 5, 2026 — The Nelson University Lady Lions opened play at the Southern Collegiate Sports tournament on Thursday afternoon, stepping onto the diamonds at the Mesquite Girls Softball Complex for a demanding day-one doubleheader against Concordia University Nebraska and Tabor College (Kan.). The day delivered hard lessons, flashes of fight, and a strong finish that showed the resilience of the Lady Lions as the tournament got underway.
Game One
Nelson faced a tough test in the opener against Concordia Nebraska, as a decisive second inning swung momentum quickly. Concordia capitalized on traffic on the bases and timely extra-base hits, pushing across seven runs in the frame and adding another in the third to secure an 8–0 win in five innings.
Game Two
The nightcap told a different story, one defined by composure, clutch hitting, and a late surge. Nelson edged Tabor College 4–3 in a back-and-forth battle that wasn't decided until the final inning.
Locked in a scoreless duel through five innings, the Lady Lions broke through in the sixth before erupting for three runs in the seventh to seize control. Reese Yoder delivered a perfect night at the plate, going 3-for-3 with an RBI double, while Kinsley Rodriguez drove in two runs and Cadence Hopgood added an RBI of her own. Ava Fernandez sparked the offense with a key extra-base hit off the bench, helping turn momentum late.
In the circle, Valerie Guzman was steady and tough, tossing a complete seven-inning effort. Guzman limited damage, struck out six, and worked out of pressure moments to keep Nelson within striking distance until the offense could respond. Her poise in the final frames sealed the Lady Lions' first win of the tournament.
Next Up
Nelson returns to action for day two of the Southern Collegiate Sports tournament on Friday, February 6, with another doubleheader on tap:
Nelson University (formerly SA GU) is a private Christian university, established in 1927 by P.C. Nelson. The University is located 30 minutes south of the Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex in Waxahachie, Texas, and offers more than 70 associate, bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees on campus or online. For more information, visit www.nelson.edu or by calling 1-888-YES-NELSON.
