Softball: Raiders Open Their 2026 Season

The Central Community College softball team opened up their 2026 season this week with a barrage of games with two on Monday (2/16) two on Tuesday and two on Wednesday. A recap of these six games is below:

2/16

Game 1: Morningside JV- 6 Central- 16

Central Community College beat Morningside JV in a 16–6 road victory, punctuated by a massive seven-run surge in the third inning. The Raiders set the tone immediately with a three-RBI single from Bella Larsen in the first, while Kylee Kirby anchored the blowout with a 3-for-5 performance and a game-high four RBIs, including a bases-clearing double. Logan Rainforth earned the win in the circle and contributed an RBI double at the plate, as the Raider defense and relief efforts from Lextyn Harker stifled the Mustangs' late comeback attempts to secure the dominant win in game one. Harker with the win and Rainforth with the save.

Game 2: Morningside JV- 6 Central- 5

Central Community College fell just short in a gritty 6–5 loss in game 2. The Raiders jumped out to an early 2–0 lead in the first inning behind an RBI double from Kloey Johnson, but they found themselves trailing 6–2 after a mid-game surge by the Mustangs. Central refused to go quietly, igniting a three-run rally in the fifth inning fueled by back-to-back clutch RBI singles from Johnson and Danica Taylor. Despite out-hitting the Mustangs in the later frames and receiving a multi-hit performance from Rainforth, the Raiders' comeback attempt ended just one run shy in the narrow defeat. 

2/17

Game 1: Highland CC- 4 Central- 9

Central Community College showcased its resilience on Tuesday, overcoming an early three-run deficit to power past the Highland Scotties 9–4. The Raiders flipped the script with a massive five-run explosion in the fourth inning, fueled by a two-run double from Harker and a clutch, go-ahead two-run double by Rainforth. Hannah Dahlke was a standout at the plate, driving in three runs over the course of the afternoon, while the offense continued to press with insurance runs from Larsen and Dahlke in the later frames. Rainforth proved to be the ultimate dual-threat, following up her offensive heroics with lockdown relief pitching to seal the comeback victory. Harker earns the win on the mound.

Game 2: Highland CC- 5 Central- 4

Central Community College fought through a back-and-forth battle against the Highland Scotties, ultimately falling just short in a 5–4 heartbreaker. The Raiders held the momentum early, fueled by a solo home run from Kami Kaskie and a steady performance in the circle by Rainforth with seven strikeouts, building a 3–1 lead through five innings. However, a chaotic four-run sixth inning allowed Highland to seize control. Despite a late rally in the bottom of the sixth that brought the Raiders within a single run, Highland managed to escape the final frame to preserve the victory.

2/18

Game 1: Cloud County CC- 6 Central- 5

Central Community College fell 6–5 in a tightly contested game one. After the T-Birds jumped out to a 4–0 lead, the Raiders' offense roared to life, fueled by Kaskie, who finished 2-for-4 with two doubles and two runs scored. Johnson provided the primary offensive punch, driving in three runs, including a massive two-RBI double in the first inning to ignite the comeback. Rainforth was a standout on both sides of the ball, going 2-for-4 with a double and two runs at the plate while providing lockdown relief in the circle, and Callen Heule added a multi-hit performance with a double of her own. Despite a seventh-inning sacrifice fly that brought Central within one, Cloud County managed to escape with the narrow victory.

Game 2: Cloud County CC-6 Central- 4

Central Community College fell 6–4 in a hard-fought battle against Cloud County Community College in game two. The Raiders' offense came alive in a four-run fifth-inning surge, headlined by a clutch two-out, two-RBI double from Harker that briefly tied the game. Larsen was a constant threat, finishing 2-for-4 with a triple and a run scored, while Jorydn Trotta set the table effectively with a 2-for-3 performance and a walk. Kaskie also turned in a multi-hit game, and Rainforth contributed both at the plate with an RBI and in the circle with three strikeouts over five innings of work. 

Head coach Cailtlin Simon said, "We've been in some really close games, and I'm proud of our plate appearances and the way we competed defensively as a team. Ultimately, though, we beat ourselves this week by not doing the little things on the bases and on defense. Credit to the other teams — they executed in those moments and did what it took to pull out the wins."

The Raiders start the season 2-4 and are in action next vs Concordia JV March 4th at Raider Field.