VIRGINIA BEACH, Va. --- The chase for a fourth national championship is still on for Virginia Wesleyan University softball as the Marlins posted a 15-0 win in five innings over Case Western Reserve University to sweep their super regional matchup and advance to the final round of the Division III Softball Championship.
Virginia Wesleyan (50-0) returns to the site of its last national title in 2021. The James I. Moyer Sports Complex is no stranger to hosting ODAC teams given that the facility has served the conference as championship host dating back to 1996. The Moyer Complex underwent a more than $20 million renovation after hosting the 2022 Division III event. Salem and the ODAC as co-host are ready to crown the Division III champion for a 15th time in a little more than a week.
Play in Salem begins on Thursday, May 28 and continues through Wednesday, June 3. Stay tuned for the announcement of the two four-team pods that will make up group play before getting to the final best-of-3 series for the walnut & bronze prize.
The past two days in Virginia Beach have been all about the Marlins as they outscored Case Western Reserve (30-14), 25-0, in the two five-inning super regional outings.
Lefty
Emma Adams was a star for VWU on Friday, tossing a four-hit shutout while also going deep for the third time this season. But in the circle is where she truly shined, shutting down the Spartans by facing only five batters above the minimum with one free pass in addition to the four knocks. Adams' rolled up nine ground ball outs and needed just 69 pitches on the way to her 23rd win of the season.
At the dish, left fielder
Samantha Deitsch went 4-for-5 with a trio of RBI. Right field
Morgan Tucker and Adams also drove in three runs each. Tucker's growing ODAC single-season RBI record now stands at 83.
The Marlins did not leave the yard, but four players cracked doubles including second baseman
Laci Campbell, designated player
Taylor McQueen, first baseman
Alison Pollack, and catcher
Olivia Knight. Campbell also stole her ODAC-best 55th bag of the season.
The schedule for VWU's Salem experience begins on Wednesday with practice at the Moyer Complex and the championship banquet. All eight teams will play once each on Thursday and Friday with the latter day featuring elimination and winner's bracket games. Elimination games are solely on the menu for Saturday with Sunday determining the two squads that will play for the NCAA trophy.
Following a day of rest on Monday, game one of the final best-of-3 championship series will be played on Tuesday. Wednesday will feature at least one outing with a chance for two if the "if necessary" contest is needed.