DUNCAN, S.C. — King University couldn't have asked for a stronger or more character-defining start to its 2026 softball season. The Tornado walked out of Tyger River Park with a perfect
2–0 record, fueled by resilience, clutch hitting, and a lineup that refused to back down in either game of Friday's doubleheader. Across 18 innings, King showed exactly the kind of toughness and depth that can shape a season.
GAME ONE: King 6, USC Beaufort 5 (9 innings)
Tornado set the tone with a statement win
King's season opener was a showcase of endurance and composure. Veteran pitcher
K. Meeks delivered a complete-game performance, throwing all nine innings and keeping the Tornado steady even as the game tightened late.
For six innings, King's defense and Meeks' command kept USC Beaufort off the board. When the offense finally broke through in the seventh — a sacrifice fly from
Aubrey King scoring
Yuleesa Kennedy — the Tornado looked ready to close it out.
But the real fireworks came in the ninth.
A defining ninth inning
King erupted for
five runs, powered by:
- A two-run double from Kennedy, who continues to be one of the most reliable bats in the lineup.
- A towering three-run home run from Aubrey King, who delivered the biggest swing of the day.
Even when USC Beaufort mounted a late rally, King never unraveled. Meeks shut the door with the tying run 60 feet away, sealing the first win of the season.
GAME TWO: King 7, Lynn 6 (9 innings)
Another comeback, another extra-inning victory
If the opener showed King's toughness, the nightcap proved their depth and refusal to quit.
Trailing 3–0 entering the seventh, the Tornado offense came alive:
Lynn briefly regained control in the eighth, but King answered immediately.
Giana Winge and
Kennedy delivered back-to-back RBI hits to tie the game again, 5–5.
Finishing the day the strong
Down 6–5 in the ninth, King once again showed its identity:
In the circle,
Savana Luper was outstanding in relief, throwing five innings and allowing just one earned run to earn her first win as a Tornado.
Aubrey King and Yuleesa Kennedy Lead the Charge
Across both games, King's offense consistently ran through two of its most dynamic players:
- Aubrey King: 5 RBI on the day, including a three-run homer and the game-winning run in Game Two.
- Yuleesa Kennedy: A double, multiple RBI, and constant pressure on opposing defenses.
Their production set the tone for a lineup that showed it can score in bunches when the moment demands it.
Pitching Staff Shows Depth and Composure
King's pitchers combined for 18 innings of work on opening day:
- K. Meeks: Complete-game win in Game One, navigating pressure with veteran poise.
- Riley Lamb & Savana Luper: A strong tandem in Game Two, with Luper dominating late to secure the victory.
If opening day at the Valkyrie Invitational is any indication, King is shaping up to be a team built for big moments and late-game heroics.
Up Next:
King now turns its attention to the Big Region Invitational on Feb. 7–8, where the Tornado will play four games as they look to build on their 2–0 start to the season.
