The College of Southern Idaho softball program suffered a tough defeat Tuesday at the 2026 NJCAA National Softball Tournament in Oxford, Alabama, falling to the Temple College Leopards on a walk-off hit that ended a back-and-forth contest.
Entering the tournament as the No. 13 seed, CSI had already shown resilience earlier in the week, needing a come-from-behind effort to get past the Conquistadors in a previous round. Tuesday’s game against Temple proved to be another hard-fought battle — one that ultimately slipped away in the final inning.
How the Game Unfolded
Temple’s Reese Cottrell was a consistent offensive force for the Leopards throughout the afternoon. She drove in runs with a two-out, two-strike single in the second inning, contributing to a 2-0 Temple advantage. The Golden Eagles answered emphatically in the top of the fifth, when Jade Romero launched her eighth home run of the season to bring Kyli Carrell home and pull CSI within striking distance.
Temple recaptured the lead in the bottom half of the fifth before CSI tied the game in the seventh inning. Anslie Yazzie continued her strong play at the national tournament, collecting multiple hits in the contest, including a leadoff double in the final frame. Carrell followed with a sacrifice bunt to advance Yazzie to third, and Maile Ha’o then lofted a sacrifice fly to level the score at three.
The momentum appeared to be shifting in CSI’s favor — until it wasn’t. The Golden Eagles stranded two baserunners in the top of the seventh, and Temple’s offense wasted no time capitalizing, pushing across the winning run in the bottom half to end the game.
Golden Eagles Still Alive in Double-Elimination Format
The loss is painful, but it is not fatal. The NJCAA national tournament operates under a double-elimination format, meaning CSI still carries a live shot at a national championship. However, there is no longer any margin for error — one more loss ends the Golden Eagles’ season.
CSI is scheduled to face Wabash Valley, the No. 19 seed, in an elimination game Tuesday afternoon, weather permitting in Oxford. Wabash Valley dropped its Monday contest to Gaston College by two runs, setting up the matchup. The game is set to begin at 2:30 p.m., contingent on favorable conditions.
For Twin Falls fans following the Golden Eagles’ postseason run, the path forward is straightforward: win every remaining game or go home. A national title remains mathematically within reach, but CSI must now navigate the tournament’s toughest stretch — consecutive must-win games against quality programs — to claim it.
Yazzie’s multi-hit performance and Romero’s home run power offer encouraging signs heading into elimination play. The Golden Eagles’ ability to battle back twice against Temple, including tying the game in the seventh, reflects a team that competes hard even when facing adversity.
CSI’s run to the national tournament has been a source of pride for the Magic Valley community. College athletics at the junior college level often fly under the radar statewide, but the Golden Eagles’ postseason presence on the national stage represents the program’s continued competitiveness at the highest level of two-year college softball. Local fans interested in other area student-athlete accomplishments can also read about Twin Falls High School cheerleaders who recently signed to compete at the college level.
What Comes Next
CSI faces Wabash Valley in Oxford, Alabama, in a Tuesday afternoon elimination game, with a 2:30 p.m. scheduled start time. A CSI victory would keep the Golden Eagles alive in the bracket and move them one step closer to a national championship. For ongoing coverage of CSI athletics and Magic Valley sports, visit Twin Falls County News.