COLLEGE STATION, Texas – The Villanova softball team started its 2025 season on a high note Thursday, taking down Utah State 7-4 in the opener of Texas A&M's Aggie Classic.
Senior Kelsey White led the way for Villanova (1-0), scoring three times and driving in a pair with a two-run homer, plus a double and walk on the day. Shortstop Ava Franz also crossed the plate twice in the afternoon, tallying a single and base on balls during the matchup.
First-year infielder Jaclyn Morra reached base three times with an RBI single and walk on her ledger while fellow freshman Ava Mahnken singled, drove in a run and scored one in her collegiate debut.
Right-hander Kat Gallant delivered a complete-game performance to open her junior campaign, striking out four in her seven-inning win.
The Aggies struck first in the matchup, using two singles and a pair of RBI doubles to lead 3-0 before the Wildcats even got to the plate.
White and Franz each walked to kick off the bottom half of the frame, drawing 17 pitches in just two batters. After a couple batted-ball outs made it two-down, a pair of freshmen came through for the 'Cats as Mahnken and Morra each singled home a run then executed a double steal to knot the score at three.
Gallant settled down and retired eight in a row on the rubber, then Villanova threatened to break the deadlock in the bottom of the fourth as Morra walked and Maranda Runco singled for two no-out baserunners, but a double play kept the game tied.
VU finally cracked that in the ensuing inning, using a leadoff White double and Franz infield single for the runners before Brooklyn Ostrowski scored one on a single. Morra put the ball in play with two outs and an error at third base plated Franz to give the Wildcats a 5-3 lead.
A walk gave Villanova a leadoff sixth inning baserunner, and White used that to her advantage as the senior belted VU's first round-tripper of the year to grant her side a four-run edge.
USU battled back in the final stanza, getting a pair of leadoff runners before a double scored one, but Gallant stranded two in scoring position to deliver her side the 7-4 W.
The victory marked VU's first season-opening win since 2022 and moves Villanova to 1-0 all-time against the Aggies, having never met Utah State prior to Thursday afternoon.
UP NEXT: The 'Cats take part in a doubleheader in both of the next two days, with Friday's slate including an early afternoon bout with Purdue before squaring off with Abilene Christian thereafter.
