The offense was firing on opening day of the 2026 Lady Norse softball season. NEO opened their spring schedule with Neosho County Community College on Thursday, February 5th. Sophomore right-handed pitcher Morgan Barnes earned the win for game one, giving up only one hit and one run over five innings, with seven strikeouts. Freshman Ryan Amorosi came in for two innings in relief, giving up one hit, on one run, and striking out two.

While Neosho scored first in the top of the first inning, NEO came right back in the bottom of the inning and scored two, taking the lead and not looking back. The Lady Norse had a big offensive fifth inning, scoring four to seal the win. Jadyn Helm led the offense with two hits, an RBI, and two runs scored. Kaydence Harjo, and Torey Tedlock each added a hit a piece. Riley Kelly had an RBI sacrifice fly in the fifth inning, scoring Caylee Holcomb; while Tedlock followed it up with a three run home run later in the inning. NEO had a strong eye at the plate, accumulating seven walks for the game. Barnes and Bieber led the team with two bases on balls each. NEO stole four bases in the game; Bieber had two; Holcomb and Howe each had one. The Lady Norse turned one double play in the game.

Game two NEO came out even stronger offensively and wasted no time getting on the board in the first inning, scoring six runs. Four hole Addisen Hall scored Bieber (BB) and Holcomb (1B), getting the scoring started. Helm, Hall, Tedlock, and Howe would all come in to score in the bottom of the first. The Lady Norse added one run in the second, when Tedlock hit a sacrifice fly, scoring Holcomb. Four more NEO runs crossed the plate in the sixth inning to extend the lead to 13-5 and secure the win. Hall hit a solo home run to center field, Peper hit into a fielder's choice, but one run scored, and Bieber singled, scoring two runs to end the ball game in run rule fashion. Right handed freshman Gracie Macintosh earned her first career win for NEO. The starting pitcher gave up zero hits and zero runs over three innings, striking out two and walking four. Avery Johnson appeared in relief for three innings.