Villanova softball drops two games in Charlotte, opening Queen Invitational against Virginia Tech and 49ers

Two losses on opening day in Charlotte

Villanova opened play at the Queen Invitational in Charlotte, North Carolina, with two defeats on Friday, Feb. 13, 2026, falling to Virginia Tech and host Charlotte. The results left Villanova at 0-8 on the season after the first day of the event.

Villanova’s first game ended in a 7-3 loss to Virginia Tech, which improved to 6-1. The second game was an abbreviated loss to Charlotte, which moved to 5-2 after scoring early and building separation in the middle innings.

Virginia Tech 7, Villanova 3: early deficit and a late push

Villanova freshman Maggie King made the first start of her college career in the opener and worked five innings. Virginia Tech scored two runs in the second inning and added another in the third, then produced a four-run fifth that widened the margin.

Villanova’s key offensive moment came on a two-run home run by Lilly St. Jean, her first of the 2026 season and the 10th of her career, cutting into the deficit. Carly Zych relieved King and kept Virginia Tech off the scoreboard over the final two innings, including stranding two runners in the sixth.

In the seventh, Katie Reed recorded her first career RBI, driving in Madison Ostrowski on a single to bring the game to its 7-3 final score.

Charlotte vs. Villanova: missed early chances, then a decisive second inning

In the nightcap, Villanova put immediate pressure on Charlotte’s pitching by loading the bases to begin the game, but Charlotte starter Brooke Bowling worked out of the jam without allowing a run. Charlotte then scored two runs in the bottom of the first inning to take the lead.

Charlotte broke the game open in the second. Villanova starter Kat Gallant was charged with the loss after pitching 1.1 innings. Lexi Kobryn entered in relief and, in her first appearance of the weekend, allowed additional runs as Charlotte extended its advantage.

Villanova again loaded the bases in the third inning but was held scoreless a second time. Charlotte added runs in the later innings and won via an abbreviated final.

What the results meant for the weekend schedule

• Villanova entered Saturday’s play set for a rematch with Virginia Tech at 10 a.m.
• The Wildcats were also scheduled to face Michigan State at 12:30 p.m. to close the event.

Friday’s games underscored two decisive themes: Virginia Tech’s mid-game scoring surge in the opener, and Charlotte’s ability to escape early bases-loaded threats before pulling away in the second game.