WORCESTER -- Top-seeded WPI opened the 2026 NCAA Division III Softball Championship Worcester Regional with a 9-0 win over fourth-seeded Albertus Magnus on Friday morning at Rooftop Field. The Engineers improve to 43-3, while the Falcons fall to 27-19.
WPI, ranked 4th nationally in NPI and 10th in the NFCA Top 25, broke a scoreless game open with a five-run third inning and added three more in the fourth, opening the program's fifth NCAA Tournament appearance with a victory.
For the NEWMAC Champion Engineers,
Virginia McKinney (Larchmont, N.Y.) led the squad with two hits and two runs scored, while
Riley O'Brien (Wynantskill, NY) drove in two runs.
Ali Chalovich (Pittsburgh, Pa.),
Stella Kozak (Auburn, N.H.), and
Liz Jordan (Yardley, Pa.) each added an RBI.
Albertus Magnus, making its first NCAA Tournament appearance after capturing the GNAC Championship, threatened early but was limited to just one hit on the afternoon, a single from
Reilly Austin (Cumberland, R.I.).
Naomi Boldebuck (Billerica, Mass.) was dominant in the circle for WPI, tossing a complete-game one-hitter with three strikeouts.
WPI broke through in the second inning when Jordan singled to shortstop to plate Kozak for the game's first run.
The Engineers then erupted in the third. O'Brien delivered a two-run single to center to score
Sandy Fairbairn (Norton, Mass.) and McKinney, before Chalovich followed with an RBI single to bring home
Emma Nagy (Monroe, Wash.). Later in the inning, WPI took advantage of a wild pitch and a throwing error to plate two more runs and extend the lead to 6-0.
WPI continued to build in the fourth, again capitalizing on defensive miscues. Fairbairn reached on an error that allowed
Lucy Latour (North Dighton, Mass.) to score, and another error brought home McKinney before Kozak added an RBI single to make it 9-0.
From there, Boldebuck closed the door, retiring the side in order in the fifth to secure the run-rule victory.
Annabelle Jabs (East Hartland, Conn.) took the loss for Albertus Magnus, allowing five earned runs on five hits while striking out three over two innings.
WPI advances to face the winner of Stockton and UMass Dartmouth on Saturday at 11:00am at Rooftop Field, while Albertus Magnus will play in an elimination game against the loser of game two at 1:30 pm.
About the NEWMAC
The NEWMAC is an association of 13 selective academic institutions: Babson College, Clark University, U.S Coast Guard Academy, Emerson College, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Mount Holyoke College, Saint Anselm College (beginning reclassification process with NCAA in 2027-28), Salve Regina University, Smith College, Springfield College, Wellesley College, Wheaton College, and Worcester Polytechnic Institute, that are committed to providing high quality competitive athletic opportunities for student-athletes within an educational and respectful environment that embodies the NCAA Division III Philosophy. The conference also partners with eight Associate Members: Brandeis University (Women's Lacrosse, 2026-2027), New York University (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), Norwich University (Football), Simmons College (Rowing), SUNY Maritime College (Football), SUNY New Paltz (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (Football), and Vassar College (Men's Volleyball, 2026-2027), while sponsoring 21 sports.