ODESSA, Texas (February 7, 2026) – The University of Texas Permian Basin softball team won its first two home games of the new 2026 season by scores of 5-1 and 3-2 over Northwestern Oklahoma State University on Saturday at the UTPB Softball Park. The Falcons saw complete-game pitching performances from both Jessica Cantrell and Priscilla Medina, and were boosted offensively by Keri Sanford's two runs scored in game one and Alivia Robinson's three run home run in the first inning of game two.
 
Game 1 (UTPB 5, NOSU 1):

• Cantrell (3-0) struck out nine Rangers and allowed just three hits in the complete-game victory, her third complete game in three starts this season, while the UTPB offense scored four runs on six hits in the bottom of the sixth inning to break a 1-1 tie and send the Falcons to the win.
• Sanford led off the bottom of the first inning with a single up the middle and came around to score on a two-out RBI-single up the middle by Carlee Quintero.
• Each of the first five outs recorded by Cantrell came via a swinging strikeout, and she totaled seven strikeouts in the first three innings.
• Cantrell did not allow a hit until a one-out double to center field in the top of the fifth inning. Then with two outs, a runner on third base and a 3-2 count at the plate, Savannah Duran laced a single just past the glove of Mia Serrato at second base, scoring the game-tying run (1-1).
• With the wind blowing in, Cantrell took advantage with a flyball deep to Quintero in left field for the second out of the sixth inning, followed by a nice catch by first baseman Kelsey Valo in foul ground for the third out.
• Then just one pitch into the bottom half of the sixth inning, Sanford smacked a single to center field to put the go-ahead run on base. Two pitches later Angelina Arriaga smashed a standup double to left center field, scoring Sanford from first base to give the Falcons the 2-1 lead.
• The four-run sixth inning for UTPB ended with a two-run single to right field by Cantrell, helping her own cause at the dish before fielding her position and igniting a double play to end the game in the final inning.
• Cantrell was 2-for-3 at the plate while Sanford was 2-for-3 with two runs scored, including the go-ahead run in the bottom of the sixth inning.

 
Game 2 (UTPB 3, NOSU 2):

• Down 2-0, Robinson squared one up and got all of the ball, sending it through the wind in left field for a go-ahead three-run home run in the first inning.
• Medina (2-0) rebounded from the first inning to pitch all seven innings and finished with two runs, four hits and two walks against her while striking out five.
• One of UTPB's standouts defensively was freshman third baseman Odalys Solis, who was responsible for five assists in the first five innings of the game, including all three groundouts in a 1-2-3 top of the fourth inning.
• Medina allowed just three batters in each of the second, third, fourth and fifth innings. After the first inning, she allowed just one hit and one walk the rest of the way.
• In the bottom of the seventh, Medina faced just three batters for the fifth time in the game, starting things off with a called strike three being getting a first-pitch groundout to shortstop and a first-pitch groundout to second base to end the game.
• The stellar UTPB defense did not commit an error in either game.

 
Team Records:

• It was the first meeting between UTPB (5-2 overall) and NOSU (4-4) in Odessa, Texas, since the 2015 season opener when the Falcons fell 3-1 and 4-3 in two low-scoring games.

 
Coach's Quote:

• "It feels great to start off the home schedule with two wins," said Head Coach David Martinez. "This was a big team win, and was a good way to start off the weekend. We got to see the work Cantrell and Medina put in with Coach Brooke this past week. They both did what was asked of them and gave us a chance in each game. Today was also a great example of the excitement of our freshman providing a balance with the experience of our upperclassmen. Robinson is a true power hitter and gave us a boost in the second game, while Sanford is one of the most experienced leaders in the conference. This has been a good start for us this year, and we are looking forward to trying to teach this team how to close out a series tomorrow."

Next Up: Games three and four of the series against Northwestern Oklahoma State will be a 10 a.m. and 12 p.m., respectively, on Sunday, February 8, from the UTPB Softball Park. It is also Super Bowl Sunday.