Freshman Kendra Bowe threw a one-hit shutout for five innings and the Tommies scored seven second-innign runs en route to an 8-0 win over Gustavus in the MIAC softball playoff championship game. A wild pitch scored a runner from third to end the game in the fifth inning on the run rule.
Gustavus forced a winner-take-all in the double-elimination tourney with a 7-1 win over St. Mary's and a 5-2 win over the Tommies. The second game included a 2:45-minute rain delay.
No. 14-ranked St. Thomas (37-7) made it 9-for-9 in conference playoff championships and pushed its all-time playoff record to 27-1. Coach John Tschida's team is in the NCAA playoffs with the MIAC's automatic bid -- St. Thomas' ninth consecutive NCAA berth -- and it learns its assignment and pairings on Monday. Gustavus, which is 2-3 this season against the Tommies, will learn Monday if it receives an at-large berth.
Genny Duffy's pinch-hit RBI double started the seven-run uprising. Kimmy Hassel had an RBI single and Tisa Phinney drove in two runs with a single. Eight different players had the Toms' eight hits.
Click here to see live stats for the last game box score:
We go out and work hard.
We play this game with emotion and love.
Coach always says ‘Emotionally, physically, mentally --
come to the field prepared.’
Because if you don’t bring that to the field,
you’re going to get beat.
--Laura Berg, outfield, Team USA
back row: Sydney Monsour , Olivia Theilen, Emma Hylen , Sydney Smith,
Ellie Rod, Justus Perry , Taylor Chell
bottom row: McKenzie Paap, Shannon Petersen, Mal Giere , Ashley Ryding