BLOOMINGTON, IL (Release via Virginia Wesleyan Athletics) – The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team (47-3-1, 21-1 ODAC) defeated Randolph-Macon 8-0 in Game 1 of the NCAA Championship Tournament. 

Morgan Tucker led the offense and broke the ODAC single-season RBI record with two bombs for a five RBI day. Olivia Knight was 1-for-1 with a solo homer and teammate Samantha Deitsch was 1-for-2 with a solo home run as well.

All-American Lauren Bible pitched well, going five innings while allowing seven hits and striking out two to record her 26th win of the season. 

The Marlins wasted no time getting on the scoreboard.

In the bottom of the first inning, leadoff hitter Sarah Prosser got things started with an infield single to third. Laci Campbell showed patience at the plate and drew a walk, setting the stage for a major momentum shift as Morgan Tucker delivered the first big blow of the game with a towering three-run homer to left-center, bringing Prosser and Campbell home.

The Marlins weren’t done yet, as Samantha Deitsch stepped up and launched a solo home run of her own, also to left-center, extending the lead to 4–0 before the first inning came to a close.

Virginia Wesleyan kept the pressure on in the second. 

Alexis Hudgens reached base after being hit by a pitch, then showed heads-up base running by stealing second and racing all the way home on an errant throw by the Randolph-Macon catcher. That unearned run gave the Marlins a 5–0 cushion.

In the fourth inning, Olivia Knight joined the home run party with a solo shot to center, pushing the Marlins’ lead to 6–0.

Tucker capped off a sensational performance in the fifth inning. Campbell collected her second hit of the game with a single to second base. Tucker followed with her second home run of the day, a two-run blast to center that sealed the deal at 8–0.