AMHERST, Mass. --- The No. 9 Virginia Wesleyan University softball team shut out the University of Rochester 2-0. in the opening round of the 2022 NCAA Softball Championship Tournament. Sophomore pitcher Emily Seale threw a complete game shutout, while Ariana Rolle and Karlee Fretz scored the two runs.

GAME INFORMATION

• Score: No. 9 Virginia Wesleyan 2 - Rochester 0
• Record: No. 9 Virginia Wesleyan 34-11 | Rochester 26-14
• Location: Amherst Softball Field | Amherst, Mass.

INSIDE THE SCORE

• The Marlins started the game off holding the Yellowjackets to a 1, 2, 3 inning before taking to the plate for their first at-bats of the programs 10th consecutive NCAA Tournament.
• Leadoff batter Ariana Rolle singled to the shortstop to get on base and advanced to second when Maria Weddle was hit by a pitch to take her place at first. A strong single down the left field line by Julia Sinnett was just enough to drive in Rolle for the first score of the game.
• Rochester put two on base in the second but the Virginia Wesleyan defense held strong getting the third out on a pop up to Halee Hawkins at short. The Yellowjackets again put a pair of runners on the bags in the third inning but Maria Weddle completed a fantastic double play on a throw in to Caitlin Myers on the fly ball to right field to end the inning.
• Neither team was able to break on to the scoreboard in the fourth or fifth innings as VWU held on to the 1-0 lead. Rochester left one on the bags in the top of the sixth with a runner that advanced to third, but Virginia Wesleyan's defense still held firm keeping UR off the board.
• After the lead off batter grounded out, senior first baseman Karlee Fretz came to the plate and crushed a ball over the left field fence for a solo home run to give VWU an insurance run with the score sitting at 2-0.
• The Marlins sent the Yellowjackets back to the dugout in 1, 2, 3 order in the top of the seventh to claim the win.

KEY NOTES

• Sophomore pitcher Emily Seale threw a complete game shutout picking up her 20th win in the circle on the season. With her two strikeouts in the game, Seale now has 101 strikeouts on the season. 
• Ariana Rolle recorded two of the teams five hits with the other three coming from Julia Sinnett, Krissy D'Arco, and Karlee Fretz. 
• Fretz's home run as her fourth of the season and the ninth in her career.

UP NEXT

The Marlins return to the field tomorrow at 12 PM to play the winner of the Husson/Amherst game. Fans can follow along with the game by VIDEO or LIVE STATS.