VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- The No. 1 Virginia Wesleyan University softball team defeated the University of Scranton, 7-2, Friday evening in the first game of the NCAA Division III Regional Round. With the victory, the Marlins improve to 41-4, while Scranton drops to 32-14. This also means VWU has moved on to the winner's bracket and will square off against Lynchburg at 10 a.m. tomorrow right back at TowneBank Park (Tom & Betty Broyles Field).
The game started out slowly with neither team able to score in the first two frames. Virginia Wesleyan changed that in the bottom of the third as the Marlins plated a pair of runs. Kaylah Duplain got things going with a one out single that nearly took off the Scranton hurler's head Julia Sinnett backed that up with a single to put runners on first and second. That brought up Katelyn Biando who knocked a far hit single into right field, allowing Sinnett to reach home. The other run would come on bases-loaded walk as Maria Weddleused a gritty at-bat to earn the free pass.
Virginia Wesleyan tacked on three more in the following inning. Beth Ford opened the side with a single and Madison Glaubke followed that with a single to put runners on the corner. Duplain would then reach on a fielder's choice but Ford was tagged out at home. With runners on first and second, Sinnett drove a hard ball up the middle that allowed both runners to cross the plate. Up 4-0 and after a Sinnett stolen base, Biando cracked a single to right field that Sinnett hustled out to put up the third run of the inning.
Glaubke would be responsible for the final Marlin run as she sent a sacrifice fly to right that allowed Ford to reach from third. The Royals put up a run in each of the final two innings but the lead was too much for them to overcome.
Hanna Hull produced 10 strikeouts on her way to her 28th win of the season, allowing just a pair of Royal hits. Carla Hall tossed the final two frames, securing the Marlin victory.
--- This release is courtesy of the Virginia Wesleyan University sports information department. ---
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