A Quick Look
The NEC Pilgrims opened its 2026 season with a split today in Melbourne, Fla. defeating Concordia (MN) College 4-3 in the opener before being shutout by John Carroll University in the second game of the day 4-0.

Game 1 – NEC 4, Concordia (MN) 3
Sophomore pitcher Amanda Magro (Phoenix, AZ) led the way for the Pilgrims throwing a complete game and striking out eight Cobbers to record her initial win of the new season.  Magro allowed three earned runs and six hits during her outing that totaled 101 pitches.

The Cobbers didn't waste any time scoring the game's first run in the top of the first inning.  Kailee Falconer led off the game with a double to right center and then moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by Morgan Guggisberg.  Falconer scored two batters later when her sister Megan doubled down the left field line.

The Pilgrims tied the game in the bottom of the first inning when freshman Makayla Halley (Ventura, CA) recorded her first collegiate hit that drove in the first run of her career on a single behind first base that drove in junior Kate Gagne (Portsmouth, NH).  Gagne reached base on a one-out walk before moving to second on a single by classmate Abigail Grimes (Baltimore, MD).

Gagne got things started in the home half of the third inning with a bunt single to lead off the frame.  Gagne advanced to second when senior Emma Lopez (Downey, CA) drew a one-out walk.  Halley then came through with a sharp single to center field driving in Gagne.  Lopez advanced to third and came in to score on an errand throw that got by the catcher to give the Grims a 3-1 lead.  After advancing to third base on a wild pitch, Halley scored on a ground out by senior Ashleigh Lemay (Derry, NH) putting NEC up 4-1.

The Cobbers made it interesting in the top of the fifth when senior Reese Hauck hit a two-out, two-run homer to cut the Pilgrims' lead to just one run at 4-3.
Magro struck out three over the final two innings and got a soft pop-up to second base to end the game in the seventh.
Halley and junior Ariana Bayze (Temecula, CA) each recorded two hits in the win for the Grims.

Game 2 – John Carroll 4, NEC 0
The Pilgrims could only muster five hits in today's second game including two each from Grimes and Halley.

John Carroll scored all four of its runs in the bottom of the third inning.  Four different players drove in a run.  Junior pitcher Kristen Dems recorded nine strikeouts while walking no one in picking up the complete-game shutout.

What's Next
The Pilgrims will play a pair tomorrow versus Concordia University of Chicago and the University of Dubuque.