The Eastlake North softball team didn’t ease into the 2026 season—the Rangers erupted.

North opened its year with a commanding 26-1, five-inning victory over Flint Hill (Oakton, Va.) on Wednesday at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, piling up 24 hits in a statement performance.

“It felt amazing, the atmosphere at Ripken is amazing,” said senior Maddy Ferrari. “The weather was perfect today, and honestly, from the beginning of our warmup, I knew we were going to come out strong today. A win always feels good, but especially good when it is the first win of the season and with everyone playing a huge contribution to secure it.”

North (1-0) wasted little time setting the tone, scoring three runs in the first inning before breaking the game open with a nine-run third. The Rangers added four in the fourth and six more in the fifth to end it early.

The offensive explosion was fueled by a lineup that produced quality at-bats from top to bottom.

“The key to the offense blowing up today was the adjustments we made during and after each at-bat,” Ferrari said. “Everyone did a very good job feeding off one another. One thing we as a team have been praising is quality at-bats, and we did just that today: productive outs by moving runners, sacrifice flies, and many RBI.”

Gianna Pintar led the hit parade with a perfect 5-for-5 performance, scoring four runs and driving in two, while staying aggressive at the plate.

“My approach was to get in the box and have fun,” Latini said. “I usually go in and say, ‘See ball, hit ball.’ I tried to be as aggressive as possible by getting my bat to the ball.”

Latini’s timing was locked in from the start.

“I try to keep quick hands getting to the ball, staying in the front of the box today,” she said.

Ferrari powered the middle of the lineup, going 3-for-5 with three runs and a team-high six RBI, including a pair of doubles.

“My approach and intensity level stay the same day in and day out,” Ferrari said. “Now, with it being the first real game of the season and wanting to make a mark early on, I still try my best to keep my composure and remain levelheaded in the box. Ensuring the outcome of my at-bats won’t affect my next at-bat or the rest of my performance. However, the first few hits I produced for my team felt like softball was finally defrosted and in full swing.”

Melanie Okerwall added four hits, four runs, and two RBI, while Olivia Credico (2-4, 3R, 1RBI, 2B, 3B), Holly Mosnik (4-4, 3R, 4RBI, 2B), Brooklynn Burnside (2-4, 2R, 1RBI, 2B), and Hayden Vachcic (2-5, 2RBI) all contributed to the offensive onslaught.

Violet Dichazy did it on both sides, scoring five runs with two RBI at the plate while dominating in the circle. The right-hander struck out 10 and allowed just three hits and one earned run over five innings.

Eastlake North returns to action Thursday morning against West Greene, looking to build on a season-opening performance that left little doubt about its offensive firepower.

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