Warriors Split Day One Double-Header in Florida

The Nelson Lady Warriors softball team (9-13) opened their participation in the Space Coast Spring Games at the Florida Space Complex in Viera, FL, with a split doubleheader on March 11, 2026, claiming a dramatic 5-4 walk-off victory over the Cornerstone Golden Eagles in Game 1 before falling 3-1 to the Aquinas Saints in Game 2.

Game 1: Nelson 5, Cornerstone 4 (Walk-Off)
The Warriors trailed 4-0 heading into the bottom of the fifth inning, but small-ball and timely hitting sparked a comeback that turned what appeared to be a tough start to the tournament, into one of the best comebacks of the season. Nelson quickly loaded the bases with one out before Estevannie Rojas delivered the first blow, a single that both cut through the thick Florida air like a hot knife through butter, and drove in Destiny Medina to break up the shutout – and the rally was on. After Charli York drew a walk that forced in another run, Vanessa Philpot lifted a sacrifice fly to plate the runner at third. With one of the Lady Warriors' most prolific hitters with runners in scoring position next up to the plate, Emily Quigg then ripped a single to left field that scored Rojas, tying the game at 4-4 faster than an astronaut can say "Houston, we have a problem…" and then immediately follow it with "Never mind, it's just the Wi-Fi again."

With the pressure now on the visitors, Cornerstone went down quietly in both the top of the sixth and seventh innings, giving the Warriors the chance to win it in regulation. Once again, Nelson got runners on the bases early in the inning, and with runners on the corners and two outs, Destiny Medina stepped to the plate and delivered on a 3-2 count – smacking a clean single up the middle to drive in Charli York and secure the 5-4 walk-off victory.

Rojas, Quigg, and Amber Lopez each finished with two hits to pace the offense. Stephany Aguirre and Kelly Katalbas combined in the circle to allow just five hits and three earned runs, keeping the Warriors in striking distance until the bats came alive.

Game 2: Aquinas 3, Nelson 1
The nightcap proved tougher offensively. Araeya Cosay delivered a strong outing in the circle, throwing six innings and allowing only five hits and three runs while striking out four. Despite the solid pitching, the Warriors managed just five hits themselves, although none that drove in a run.

Nelson's lone score came in the bottom of the sixth when a fielding error allowed Estevannie Rojas to score after she had reached on a double earlier in the inning, cutting the deficit to 3-1. Catalina Sanchez led the offense with two hits, while Vanessa Philpot reached twice (one hit and the team's only walk). Aquinas held firm in the late innings, slipping away with the 3-1 victory in the humid late-winter Florida night.

See the Nelson Warriors' softball page for their upcoming schedule.

Do not forget to follow Nelson Athletics on X at @NelsonWarriors and Instagram at @nelsonwarriors.athletics.