BOSTON, Mass. — Top-seeded Boston University and No. 3 Army West Point earned victories on the opening day of the 2026 Patriot League Softball Championship on Thursday in Boston, Mass.

In Game 1, Boston University rallied from a 3-0 deficit to defeat No. 4 Lafayette, 7-3, highlighted by a three-run home run from junior infielder and second-team All-Patriot League selection Kyomi Apalit. Sophomore pitcher Danika Nell earned the win in relief, while senior pitcher Haley Ganino recorded the save.

In Game 2, No. 3 Army West Point defeated No. 2 Colgate, 6-3, after overcoming an early 3-0 deficit. Senior pitcher Breanna Izzo earned the win in relief after pitching 4.1 scoreless innings, striking out four batters.

The 2026 Patriot League Softball Championship continues on Friday, May 8, with Boston University facing Army West Point in the winner’s bracket game at 11 a.m. No. 2 Colgate and No. 4 Lafayette will meet in an elimination game at 1:30 p.m.

The loser of the Boston University-Army West Point game will face the winner of the Colgate-Lafayette matchup later in the day, with the winner advancing to the championship round.

For information about the 2026 Patriot League Softball Championship, click here. 

NO. 1 BOSTON UNIVERSITY 7, NO. 4 LAFAYETTE LEOPARDS 3
BOX SCORE
*The Leopards struck first in the top of the first inning when senior infielder and second-team All-Patriot League selection Kylee Sweet hit a two-run home run to left field to give Lafayette a 2-0 lead.
*Lafayette added another run later in the inning when freshman outfielder Ava Butler delivered an RBI double to center field before Boston University brought in sophomore pitcher Danika Nell in relief of Kasey Ricard.
*The Leopards preserved their 3-0 advantage in the bottom of the first inning as senior pitcher Marisa Powell struck out two batters and stranded two runners on base.
*The Terriers got on the board in the bottom of the second inning when senior infielder Megan Coyle hit a home run to left field that deflected off the defender’s glove and over the wall to cut the deficit to 3-1.
*Boston University added another run in the bottom of the third inning after junior catcher Livia Christopher reached on an error to bring the Terriers within one at 3-2.
*The Terriers took a 4-3 lead in the bottom of the fourth inning as the Leopards issued four consecutive two-out walks, forcing in two runs.
*Senior pitcher Haley Ganino entered in the top of the fifth inning for the Terriers and stranded two Lafayette runners to preserve the lead.
*Senior infielder Kyomi Apalit extended the Terriers’ lead to 7-3 with a three-run home run to left field in the bottom of the sixth inning.
*Ganino continued her strong relief outing by holding the Leopards scoreless over the final three innings to secure the victory for Boston University.
 
NO. 3 ARMY WEST POINT 6, NO. 2 COLGATE 3
BOX SCORE
*The Raiders jumped out to an early lead after first-year outfielder Kayla Martin went opposite field for a home run into left field to lead 3-0. 
*The Black Knights got on the board in the fourth inning after sophomore outfielder Breanna Cooonfare recorded an RBI off a fielder’s choice. 
*Army West Point would then go on to tie it 3-3 after Taylor Moore singled and a throwing error by Colgate scored two runs. 
*The Black Knights took the lead in the bottom of the sixth courtesy of an RBI single from senior infielder Taylor Brown to lead 4-3. 
*Army West Point extended their lead to 5-3 after senior infielder Ashton White recorded an RBI off a sacrifice fly to left field. 
*In the top of the seventh, Hannah Laub gave the Black Knights a 7-3 advantage after hitting an opposite field homerun to left field. 
*After entering in the third inning, Army West Point senior pitcher Breanna Izzo put on a dominant showing, going 4.1 innings with four strikeouts, giving up one hit to lead the Black Knights to a win. 
 
2026 Patriot League Softball Championship Schedule
Thursday, May 7 | BU Softball Field
Game 1 - No. 1 Boston University 7 vs. No. 4 Lafayette 3
Game 2 - No. 2 Colgate 3 vs. No. 3 Army West Point 6
 
Friday, May 8 | BU Softball Field
Game 3 – No. 1 Boston University vs. No. 3 Army West Point, 11 a.m.
Game 4 – No. 2 Colgate vs. No. 4 Lafayette, 1:30 p.m.
Game 5 – Winner of Game 4 vs. Loser of Game 3, 4 p.m.
 
Saturday, May 9 | BU Softball Field
Game 6 – Winner of Game 3 vs. Winner of Game 5, Noon
Game 7 – Winner of Game 6 vs. Loser of Game 6 (if necessary), 2:30 p.m.
 
ABOUT THE PATRIOT LEAGUE
The Patriot League is in its fourth decade of academic and athletic achievement, continually demonstrating that student-athletes can excel at both academics and athletics without sacrificing high standards. The Patriot League’s athletic success is achieved while its member institutions remain committed to its founding principle of admitting and graduating student-athletes who are academically representative of their class. Participation in athletics at Patriot League institutions is viewed as an important component of a well-rounded education.