RHINELANDER, Wis. (Hodag Dome) – The Lawrence University softball team continued its 2026 opening day with a thrilling 5-3 victory over Lakeland University Wednesday afternoon in nonconference action.

After Lakeland surged to a three-run lead in the fourth inning, the Vikings responded with timely hitting in the middle innings and strong relief pitching down the stretch to secure the comeback win. Lawrence totaled eight hits on the afternoon and made the key plays when it mattered most.

Lawrence struck first in the bottom of the first inning. Zoe Doherty delivered a clutch two-out RBI double to left center to plate the game's first run. Gillian Guerriero followed with a run-scoring double of her own to give the Vikings an early 2-0 advantage.

Lakeland answered in the top of the fourth, stringing together three straight hits to take a 3-2 lead. Sam Marchant started the rally with an RBI triple, and Hunt followed with another triple to drive in a run. A Staudinger RBI single capped the inning and put the Muskies in front.

The Vikings quickly regained momentum in the fifth inning. Shelby Rozak sparked the frame with a double and moved into scoring position before Allisyn Briggs lined a ground-rule RBI double to tie the game at 3-3. Later in the inning, Janna Bode delivered a clutch RBI double down the right-field line to give Lawrence the lead back at 4-3.

Lawrence added an insurance run in the seventh. Ava Pilgrim reached base and came around to score when Doherty came through again, driving an RBI double to left field to extend the lead to 5-3.

In the circle, Avery Chilson earned the win in relief, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just three hits and keeping Lakeland off the board late. Georgia Sedlack started the contest and worked through four innings before Chilson shut the door to preserve the season-opening victory.