Softball Sees Narrow Loss in Home Opener Against Fordham

Wednesday, March 11

West Point, N.Y.

2 p.m.

Army West Point

8-11

Fordham

6-11

Fordham

Army West Point

Ashton White Trots Down the Left Field Line After a Home Run

Photo by: Mady Salvani

Softball Sees Narrow Loss in Home Opener Against Fordham

March 11, 2026 | Softball

Box Score

WEST POINT, N.Y. — Army West Point softball (8-12) played its home opener at the Army Softball Complex on Wednesday, hosting the Fordham University Rams (7-11), but fell to the visiting team, 2-3.

Despite the narrow loss, Army's offense showed flashes of power with home runs from Newburn and White, while the pitching combination of Izzo and Flanders kept the game close and gave the Black Knights opportunities to fight back throughout the contest.

Breanna Coonfare finished with the most hits on the day, tallying two hits, both singles. The home runs from Ashton White and Caitlyn Newburn accounted for Army's only runs and RBIs on the day, each having one of each.

Breanna Izzo received the start for the Black Knights, earning five strikeouts, while allowing four hits, three runs, two earned runs and three walks in 4.1 innings pitched. Katelyn Flanders went on to pitch 2.3 innings, adding four strikeouts with only two hits and no runs earned. Izzo went on to receive the loss for the Black Knights.

How It Happened

The Rams threatened immediately in the opening inning, putting two runners in scoring position after a bunt single and a double. Izzo showed early composure, however, retiring the next two hitters with a lineout and a strikeout to strand both runners and keep the game scoreless.

Army looked to generate offense in the bottom of the first when Taylor Brown drew a two-out walk, but Fordham escaped the inning. The Black Knights created another opportunity in the second as Breanna Coonfare singled to left-center and later stole second, putting a runner in scoring position. Fordham again held the line, though, preventing Army from pushing across the game's first run.

Meanwhile, Izzo continued to settle into a rhythm. She retired the Rams in order in both the second and third innings, mixing strikeouts with soft contact and keeping Fordham's lineup off balance.

Fordham finally broke through in the fourth inning when Eva Koratsis hit a solo home run to right field, giving the Rams a 1–0 lead.

Army responded immediately in the bottom half. After Ashton White grounded out to start the inning, Caitlyn Newburn stepped to the plate and blasted a solo home run to right-center, tying the game at 1–1 and energizing the Black Knights' dugout. Coonfare followed with another single to keep the inning alive, but Fordham prevented further damage.

The Rams regained the lead in the fifth inning after a walk and a bunt attempt reached on a throwing error, putting pressure on Army's defense. A bases-loaded walk forced in the go-ahead run, and an RBI single extended the Fordham lead to 3–1.

Katelyn Flanders then entered the game in relief and immediately helped limit the damage, striking out the final batter of the inning with the bases loaded to keep the deficit at two runs.

From that point forward, Flanders stabilized the game for Army, shutting down Fordham's offense over the final innings. She worked through the sixth and seventh innings without allowing another run, retiring hitters with a combination of strikeouts and routine defensive plays to give the Black Knights a chance to rally late.

Army cut into the deficit in the bottom of the sixth inning when Ashton White launched a solo home run to left field, bringing the Black Knights within one run at 3–2. The momentum continued as Coonfare later worked a walk, but Fordham's defense caught a runner stealing to halt the rally.

Flanders delivered another strong inning in the seventh, allowing just one hit before striking out the final batter to keep Army within one run heading into its final at-bat. However, the Black Knights were unable to generate a late rally in the bottom of the inning as Fordham secured the final outs.

On Deck

Next up, the Black Knights head back on the road, this time heading just south to Queens for the St. John's & Harvard Play Day on Saturday and Sunday.

Army match up against St. John's for the second straight season after the two teams faced off in the Spring Break Challenge in Jacksonville, Fla., last season, with the Black Knights taking a 4-1 win over the Red Storm.

Meanwhile, the Black Knights and the Crimson will face off for the first time since the 1995 season, with Harvard earning an 8-2 win over the Jim Flowers-coached squad.

The tournament begins Saturday, March 14, with Army playing St. John's at 10:30 a.m. ET, then playing Harvard at 1 p.m. ET. Then on Sunday, March 15, Army will play both teams again, first Harvard at 1 p.m. ET, followed by St. John's at 3:30 p.m. ET. Both of Army's games against St. John's will air live on ESPN+.

Follow Along

For complete coverage of Army West Point softball, follow the Black Knights on X and Instagram at @ArmyWP_Softball and online at www.goarmywestpoint.com.