After Mother Nature pushed the start of the season back a week, the Dodge City softball team opened the 2026 season at home, hosting #13 McCook and would split with the Indians, falling 7-5 in game one and earning a 3-1 victory in game two. 

The win over a ranked opponent is the second over a ranked opponent under Head Coach Mike Viramontez. 

Game 1 – Lost 7-5 vs #13 McCook
The day started with early offense on both sides in the season opener for the Conqs and Indians. McCook worked a pair of bases runners on two singles, but the Conqs answered with a strikeout by Jordyn Boxberger and then looked to be out of the frame on a ground ball, but an error allowed McCook to score, and another error would help them lead 4-0. The Conqs responded in the bottom of the first with three hits, including a two RBI single by Karli George, cutting the Indians' lead in half at 4-2. 

McCook tallied two more runs in the second and one more in the fourth on a solo home run, but the Conqs continued to fight, scoring two in the fourth, highlighted by a pair of triples, including an RBI triple by Dezarae Schmidt. Defensively, the Conqs would shut down McCook, giving up just the home run after the third inning. Conqs tallied another run in the sixth on an RBI single by Karen Galaviz, but would be unable to score again, falling 7-5. 

Boxberger was strong in the circle, going all seven innings, giving up only three earned runs. The Conqs as a team recorded 10 hits was Loren Sweat was 2-3 with a run scored, while Sophie Faidley went 2-3 with a triple and run scored. George added a 2-4 performance with two RBI. 

Game 2 – Won 3-1 vs #13 McCook
Both teams looked to score early in game two, but it was the pitching and defense that stopped the opponent in the first two innings. The Conqs would leave the bases loaded in the first and second while McCook stranded a pair of runs in each half inning. McCook struck first in game two, taking advantage of a leadoff walk. The Conqs answered in the bottom of the third as Cadie McCracken scored on an infield RBI single by Harley Shoaf. 

The game remained 1-1 until the bottom of the sixth when the Conqs would record four hits, including an RBI double by Avery McCloskey and an RBI single by Cameron Moses to grab a 3-1 lead. McCook worked the tying run on base in the top of the seventh, but the Conqs shut the door to split the doubleheader with a 3-1 game two win. 
In the circle, George was strong, tossing all seven innings, giving up just one run on five hits and two walks, while striking out seven. 

Offensively, the Conqs pounded out 13 hits as Faidley was 3-3, while Galaviz went 3-4 with a run scored. McCloskey finished 3-4 with a pair of doubles and an RBI, while Moses added a 2-4 performance. 

Conqs are back in action quickly as they host Frank Phillips on Friday, February 6th, in a doubleheader starting at 1:00 pm.