OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. --- The No. 1-ranked Virginia Wesleyan softball team fell to No. 4 Texas-Tyler, 4-1, in the first game for both teams in the College World Series Thursday.

The Marlins faced a tough draw in Texas-Tyler, the defending national champion and top offensive squad in the country.

Alaina Kissinger shut down the Marlin offense in the top of the first, striking out a pair. The Patriot offense rode that momentum into the bottom half of the inning when Cheyenne Thompson launched a one-out pitch over the center-field wall.

The score remained 1-0 until the bottom of the fourth when Whitney Romero led off the frame with a homer to left-center. An out later, Kaylee Prather tripled to the wall in center before scoring on an illegal pitch.

The Marlins attempted a rally in the sixth inning when Kiersten Richardson led off the inning with a double down the left-field line. She came around to score on a Cassetty Howerin double to left, forcing Texas-Tyler to go to the bullpen. Miranda Leal got the next two Marlins out to end the threat.

The Patriots added an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth on a Mel Hinojosa RBI single that brought home Thompson.

Hanna Hull (29-3) took the loss after allowing four runs on eight hits and five walks, while striking out eight in six innings. Madison Glaubke went 2-for-3 at the plate for Virginia Wesleyan.

Kissinger (25-2) earned the win for Texas-Tyler (45-4) after surrendering one earned run in 5.1 innings while striking out four.

Virginia Wesleyan (48-3) will face Trine University (37-9) in an elimination game Friday at noon. Texas-Tyler (45-4) faces Amherst (34-10) in a winners' bracket contest Friday at 7:30 p.m.

--- This release is courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan University sports information department. ---
www.vwuathletics.com