Dillard Wins Game 1 in HBCUAC Softball Championship

TUSCALOOSA,AL– Dillard (LA) jumped out early and never looked back, rolling past Wiley 12–3 on April 25, 2026 in Northport, Alabama.

The Bleu Devils (23–13, 19–2) effectively ended the game in the first two frames, scoring seven runs in the 1st and four more in the 2nd to build an 11–0 cushion.

- In the 1st inning, Dillard piled on with a hit-by-pitch RBI, a three-run triple by Grace Hunter, an RBI double from Brooklyn Baltzell, a sacrifice fly, and an error that brought in another run.
- In the 2nd inning, the pressure continued. Dillard added four more, highlighted by Sa'Vya Sutherland's two-run single and another RBI from Hunter. Several of the runs came unearned, fueled by defensive miscues and wild pitches.

By the time Wiley got on the board, the deficit was already steep.

Wiley (0–27, 0–21) did manage to scratch out three runs despite only three hits, leaning heavily on plate discipline. The Wildcats drew eight walks, and two of their runs came via bases-loaded walks in the 3rd:

- Miranda Castaneda walked in a run.
- Sariya Calhoun followed with another RBI walk.
- In the 4th, Wiley added a run on T'era Garrett's sacrifice fly.

Still, Wiley's offense couldn't generate sustained contact (just 3 hits, with doubles by Ma'Kiya Miles and Calhoun) and left themselves too much to do after the early avalanche.

Dillard's offense: balanced and relentless
Dillard finished with 10 hits and five walks, scoring 12 runs despite recording zero strikeouts at the plate.

Key performers included:
- Grace Hunter: 2-for-3 with a triple and 4 RBIs (the biggest swing of the day was her 3-RBI triple in the 1st).
- Sa'Vya Sutherland: 1-for-4 with 2 RBIs.
- Brooklyn Baltzell: reached base three times (2 BB) and added an RBI double, scoring three runs.
- Amayiah Franklin: 2-for-2 with an RBI and scored twice.

Wiley starter Jazmine Rodriguez took the loss (4–12), allowing 11 runs (7 earned) in 3.0 innings, with Dillard capitalizing on traffic (4 walks, plus a hit batter) and mistakes. Wiley committed five errors, and Dillard also scored on two wild pitches, further widening the gap.

For Dillard, Kylie Price earned the win (11–3) in relief, helping close it out after Mary-Elizabeth Landry battled control issues early (5 walks). Even with Dillard issuing eight walks, the early run support made it academic.

 Final
Dillard (LA) 12, Wiley 3 
Dillard's first-two-inning surge and Wiley's defensive struggles set the tone, as the Bleu Devils stayed in control from the opening inning to the final out.

-Bleu Devils-