TEMPE, Ariz. — Down 3-2 in the top of the seventh inning, freshman infielder Tru Medina stepped into the box for the Northwestern Wildcats, awaiting a 1-2 pitch. 

She swung away, and Medina promptly tied the game on a home run to dead center field. Making up for an earlier costly error, the infielder put the team on her back and delivered. 

The Kajikawa Classic is in full swing at Arizona State University, as Texas State (1-0) and Northwestern (1-0) faced off at Alberta Farrington Softball Stadium on Friday, Feb. 6. In a game full of defensive web gems, late offense was the highlight.

Entering the bottom of the seventh and having tied the game, Northwestern played for extra innings, yet the Bobcats had other plans. 

It was now time for senior infielder Aiyana Coleman to try to get her “heroic moment,” as she led off the inning for Texas State. 

Awaiting the offering from new Northwestern pitcher, junior Riley Grudzielanek, Coleman did not miss, clobbering a walk-off home run to win 4-3.

The game was close throughout, as Northwestern started off the scoring in the first with an RBI double from sophomore Kaylie Avvisato, but Texas State answered right back in the bottom of the inning with a couple of baserunners that set up a sacrifice fly from Coleman.

Low scoring was the trend on Friday, as both pitchers and defenses made big plays for their teams. One of these plays occurred at the top of the third inning when Wildcats senior outfielder, Kelsey Nader, got thrown out at third trying to tag up.

Then, in the bottom of the inning, Northwestern displayed its own defensive ability, throwing out senior outfielder Keely Williams at home to keep the game tied.  

After three innings of tight defense, Texas State finally broke through after a costly error from Northwestern. Medina got a ball hit sharply to her at third and was unable to make an accurate throw to first, resulting in a run for the Bobcats, who took a 2-1 lead. 

Now in a deficit for the first time, the Wildcats had their work cut out for them. They answered right back in the top of the sixth with a home run from junior catcher Emma Raye to tie the game again at two.

Tied again, Texas State took back the lead right back after an RBI single from Williams, bringing the score to 3-2. The back-and-forth offense continued into the seventh and capped off with a walk-off for the Bobcats.

While offense reigned supreme in this game, many key defensive plays shaped the outcome. Sophomore outfielder Harley Vestal made two diving catches for Texas State, robbing runners of extra bases. 

On the other side, despite her costly error, Medina remained strong at third base, making accurate throws and diving plays.

Both teams played exceptionally well in only their second games of the season – in a neutral environment too. 

As the Kajikawa Classic continues, both squads will prepare to play the host Sun Devils, as the 2026 softball season progresses.