Voris Three-Hit Shutout Guides Bears Past Tri-State, 1-0

WU-TRI-STATE BOX | PHOTO

Rock, Island, Ill., May 8, 2008 – Freshman pitcher Claire Voris struck out eight and allowed three hits as the No. 5 seed Washington University in St. Louis softball team defeated No. 4 seed Tri-State University, 1-0, in the first round of the 2008 NCAA Division III Championship on Thursday afternoon in Rock Island, Ill.

Washington University, which improved its overall record to 25-13, advances to play top-seeded and No. 1 ranked DePauw University on Friday at 2 p.m.

"The first game in the NCAA Tournament is always a challenge," said Washington University head coach Leticia Pineda-Boutte. "Now we can focus on what we came here for."

After a scoreless first two innings, Washington U. jumped out in front with a run in the top of the third after three-consecutive hits with two outs. Senior Karli Stander singled to right field and then advanced to third after sophomore Carter Malouf blooped a single to right field sending Stander to third. Junior Kerry Kreitman completed the trifecta with a single to centerfield scoring Stander for the only run of the game.

Tri-State, which won the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Conference Tournament (MIAA) championship, threatened in the bottom half of the inning. Sara Hively singled with one out and then advanced to third with two-consecutive wild pitches. Voris struck out leadoff hitter Kara Graham, and then got Sallie Richardson to ground out to Kreitman to end the inning.

Voris was in control the final four innings allowing just one hit while striking out four of the final seven batters. She struck out Leslie Schudel and Vicki Hayes to begin the seventh inning, and then got Erica Bednarski on a fly out to end the game.

"I know everyone on the team is excited to be here and it’s easy to get up for games like this," said Voris, which improved her record to 15-5 in her rookie season.

Washington U. was limited to six hits by Tri-State starting pitcher Lauren Hudson, as Stander and senior Laura D’Andrea each had two hits each for the Bears.

Tri-State (31-7), who was making its first appearance in the NCAA Tournament, will take on Maryville University on Friday at 10 a.m. in an elimination game.