WATERVILLE, Maine – The Colby College softball team opened its 2026 season with an 8-0 six-inning victory over across town rival Thomas College at the Colby Softball Field on Saturday morning.

After a scoreless top of the first inning, the Mules kicked off the scoring when junior Juliana Kiley was able to find a gap on a hard-hit ball down the left field line, allowing senior Victoria Ramirez and junior Ella Wilcox to make it 2-0 in the bottom half of the inning.

A big second inning from Colby (1-0) saw them score five runs, capitalizing on Thomas (0-1) defensive errors to make it 7-0. Junior Kat Xiong and senior Kathryne Clay opened the scoring in the inning when they scored off a throwing error off a sacrifice bunt by Julia Berry. As a result of the Terrier miscue Berry was safe at third base, who eventually scored on a sacrifice fly by senior Emma Burnham. Back-to-back RBI singles by Ramirez and Kiley plated the fourth and fifth runs of the inning for the Mules.

After three scoreless innings, the Mules added one more run in the bottom of the sixth to earn the 8-0 mercy-rule win over the Terriers. With one out in the inning, Ramirez ripped a triple to center field and scored the game-winning run off a sacrifice fly by freshman Sophia Hammel.

Kiley led the way offensively for Mules, going 2-2 with three RBI. Ramirez had a 2-3 day with a triple, an RBI and two runs scored while senior Kelsey Sullivan added a double in the opening day victory.

Senior KC DeSarno claimed the victory in the circle for the Mules after allowing one hit with five punch outs over three shutout innings. Sophomore Sophia Meade tossed three shutout innings in relief, allowing one hit with three strikeouts to pick up her first save of the season.

The Mules return to action on March 17 when they host Husson University for an in-state doubleheader showdown at 3 and 5 p.m.