SAN DIEGO - Emotions ran high at Reggie Smith Softball Complex at the University of San Diego on Saturday, as seven seniors took to the field for the last time in their collegiate careers. USD beat Seattle University 3-0, as starting pitcher Kelsey Tadlock pitched an incredible final game for the Toreros. Tadlock, who threw one of USD’s seven total perfect games her sophomore year, threw a no-hitter through six innings and struck out three batters. The Toreros executed well defensively and all batting seniors got a hit.
Offensive success came early and strong for San Diego, beginning in the first inning when Taylor Johnson, playing first base, doubled to deep center field. Following that, Michelle Delgado, playing third, hit a two-run RBI double to bring in T. Johnson and centerfielder Kaylee Oh for San Diego’s first two runs. The third run came in the bottom of the second, when left fielder Carly Ruiz tripled and was brought home by a one-run RBI single by right fielder Kaitlyn Wynia.
In the fourth inning, catcher Shawnese Hogue-Lacy grounded between short and third for a single. Hailey Mulligan grounded through the center for a double, and both were left on base. Designated player Natalie McCliman singled in the sixth, sending Mulligan to third. They were also left on base.
“To my fellow seniors, it's been crazy,” McCliman said postgame. “We came in with eight of us, and we've been the big, loud, crazy class, and I'm so happy that we all get to finish together. And to the rest of the team, I just love them so much, and I'm so excited to see what they do next.”
Left to right: Hailey Mulligan, Kaitlyn Wynia, Mallory Axline. Miguel Mejia / Miguel Mejia Photography
In the seventh inning, three outs away from a no-hitter, Seattle U managed to single against Tadlock. There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd as Tadlock left the circle after hugging her teammates, the fans rising to give her a standing ovation. Charlie Johnson took over, striking out two batters in her last inning as well and ending both the ballgame and the seniors’ last collegiate softball game. With that, USD swept the series against Seattle U and ended their season 21-30.
“It's so surreal,” Tadlock shared. “I am so proud of the way it ended for me and for Charlie. We're both seniors and we both deserve to have our moment, and we did, so I don't think it could have gone any better.”
Families joined on the field after the game and walked with each senior as she was embraced by coaches and teammates in a touching celebration for each player.
Tadlock, from San Marcos, appeared in 94 games with 41 starts and recorded nine complete games. She earned All-WCC Honorable Mention and WCC Academic Honorable Mention honors, as well as her aforementioned perfect game in a 9-0 win over Pacific.
Mulligan, a San Diego local, joined USD as a junior and started 71 games. She was a key contributor to the infield, and brought consistency and leadership to the team.
Hogue-Lacy from Fairfield, Calif., appeared in 143 games, made 120 starts, and recorded 76 hits. She earned All-WCC Honorable Mention Honors in 2025.
T. Johnson, a four year starter from Seal Beach, California, appeared in 201 games and made 187 starts. She is tied for fourth in all-time program history with 17 career home runs. She earned Batting Champion honors as a sophomore.
C. Johnson, who joined the Toreros this season, finished with a 3.65 ERA, threw four complete games, recorded 45 strikeouts and three saves.
Ruiz, a three-year starter who took the field in 119 games,recorded 85 hits, 28 walks, and 46 runs for the Toreros.
Senior left fielder Carly Ruiz. Miguel Mejia / Miguel Mejia Photography
McCliman, who made 18 appearances this season and recorded her highest number of at bats in a single season, served as the Vice President of the Student Athlete Advisory Committee and earned the 2026 Gender Equity Award.
Every one of the seven seniors on the team made an impact. Head coach MJ Knighten shared that this was her first recruiting class at USD and that she would tell them to “keep being a force.”
“That's what they learned throughout their time here,” she said. “You're gonna get punched, but it's how you get back up. I want them to remember that every single day, ‘cause life is not gonna be easy, but I know they're ready because softball taught them everything they needed to know, and this program has prepared them for the next step.”
The WCC does not have a conference tournament for softball, so the team will be back on the field next spring for the clean slate of a new season.
Top photo: Kelsey Tadlock pitching on Saturday. Miguel Mejia / Miguel Mejia Photography
