ST. LOUIS, Mo. – The magical run of the 2026 Capital University softball season has come to a close in a thrilling elimination game against Illinois College on Friday afternoon. The Comets rallied furiously in the sixth inning and threatened again in the seventh, but ultimately ran out of time to pull off a comeback effort. Ultimately, the Comets fell short 6-4 at the final out.
Capital ends its historic and truly magical season with a record of 21-19. Illinois College advances to another elimination game vs. WashU with a record of 34-11.
The Comets entered the month of May needing to win to keep their season alive and pulled off a clutch five-game winning streak started by sweeping Otterbein to end the regular season and earn a bid to the OAC Tournament. That happened before the team rattled off three straight wins to claim the OAC Tournament Championship for the third time in program history and first since 1997. That title also earned the Comets their fifth trip to the NCAA Tournament in program history and first since 2013. Additionally, the magic boosted the Comets to their first 20+ win season since 2017.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Comets got behind early and eventually trailed 6-0 by the end of the fourth inning. While falling behind, the Comets struggled to get going offensively, going without a baserunner through four and two-thirds innings until
Reagan Irons broke up the no-hitter with a single to right center. That hit proved crucial to spark momentum for the Comets heading to the sixth inning.
In the sixth,
Audrey Thomas reached via a walk and then scored on the next at-bat as
Kyleigh Kirby tagged a triple to right center. Kirby then scored as
Autumn Bridges reached on an infield single. Bridges herself moved around on a bunt single by
Shelby Allen before scoring on an RBI groundout by
Megan Parry. Allen then scored on
Reagan Irons' triple to right center.
In the seventh, the Comets threatened again as Kirby reached via a double to left center before Bridges again hit an infield single. Unfortunately for the Comets, the momentum came too late as a third out would end the rally and close the book on the special season for the Comets.
Kyleigh Kirby,
Autumn Bridges and
Reagan Irons each ended the game with two hits, while
Shelby Allen had one base hit.
Isabel Sayre and
Audrey Thomas each drew a walk in the game.
Addi Parker (6-6) started and tossed 3.1 innings where she conceded six runs on six hits and two walks. She struck out one.
Alyssa Miller threw 2.2 innings of no-hit, shutout relief, allowing just one walk with three strikeouts.
POSTGAME PRESS CONFERENCE
Head Coach
Anna Kirk and seniors
Autumn Bridges and
Reagan Irons reflect on today's game, the season, their careers in Purple and White, as well as give us a glimpse of what's on the horizon for Capital Softball.
