JOHNSON CITY, Tenn. – The Glenville State Softball team opened the 2026 season in Tennessee today (Feb. 8), shutting out Emory & Henry, 9-0, in five innings before a seventh-inning run doomed the Pioneers in their 2-1 loss to Carson-Newman.
Game One – GSU 9 | Emory & Henry 0 (5 Inn.)
After a strong first inning from one of the region’s best pitchers, Kylie Burdick, the Pioneer offense plated the senior hurler two runs in the bottom of the first when Emily Nolanpoked a two-out, two-RBI single up the middle. An inning later, Kylee Goodman and Shelby McDaniels notched RBI singles while Delaney Warnick brought in two with a single, making it 6-0. In the bottom of the 5th, McDaniels put an end to the game early with her three-run home run, securing the 9-0 victory for the Pioneers.
Final Stats
Emory & Henry
Four different Wasps recorded a hit, as Tolley was the lone slugger to record two hits. Good went just one inning, allowing six runs (five earned) on seven hits and one hit by pitch.
Glenville State
Six Pioneers recorded a hit, with Shelby McDaniels and Kylee Goodman both having two knocks. McDaniels added four RBI while Delaney Warnick and Emily Nolan both had two. Goodman added an RBI in the win. Kylie Burdick went five innings, striking out one with five hits allowed. 13 of the 15 outs recorded by Burdick were via flyout.
Game Two – GSU 1 | Carson-Newman 2
A pair of singles and a stolen base quickly put Carson-Newman on the board in the top of the first inning. Two innings later, the Eagles were threatening but a good throw home and a flyout halted the scoring opportunity. The Pioneers loaded the bases in the bottom half of the inning after Kylee Goodman and Delaney Warnick singled while Shelby McDanielswalked. Back-to-back infield outs put a stop to the GSU offense.
Glenville State used a Lillian Burns single and Kylee Goodman sac bunt to setup Shelby McDaniels for yet another RBI opportunity. The senior came through, ripping a single through the middle to knot things up at one. C-N regained the lead with two outs in the top of the 7th with an RBI single through the left side of the infield. The Pioneers went down in order in the bottom of the inning, as GSU fell, 2-1.
Final Stats
Carson-Newman
Malyiah Smith led the Eagles with two hits and an RBI while Reese Winchester had a hit and an RBI. Lorelei Spradling and Riley Sikes combined to give up one run (earned) on seven hits and two walks with Sikes picking up the win.
Glenville State
Shelby McDaniels and Delaney Warnick both went 2-for-3 with McDaniels logging the lone RBI for the Pioneers. Kylee Goodman, Zailees Seda and Lillian Burns also recorded hits in the defeat. Meghan Stump started the game before AndiJo Howard came in relief, as both pitchers allowed one earned run.
