Muskingum def. Wheaton, 2-0

The Fighting Muskies of Muskingum College (OH) scored two runs in the bottom of the third inning en route to a 2-0 victory over the Lyons of Wheaton College (MA) in the third game of the NCAA Division III Softball Championship.

In the bottom of the third, sophomore right fielder Lindsay Bramhall drove in both runs with a single for Muskingum (42-5).  Senior center fielder Erin Zupko also singled in that inning.

Wheaton (32-11-1) actually had more hits overall in the game, with a 5-3 advantage over the
Fighting Muskies.  The Lyons came up with two hits in both the third and fifth innings, but could not convert on those opportunities.

Leading Muskingum offensively was Bramhall, who finished 1-for-2 with her two RBIs.  Zupko and senior shortstop Jeanna Rayman both batted 1-for-3.

For Wheaton, senior left fielder Amanda Dow-Allen batted 2-for-3 with a double.  Junior second baseman Courtney Prior was 1-for-2.  Senior shortstop Brianna Shawah and junior catcher Kate Malloy both went 1-for-3.

Muskingum’s winning pitcher, freshman Andrea Crow, struck out three batters in the final five innings.  She replaced starting sophomore pitcher Erica Hoyt, who recorded one strikeout in the first two innings.

Wheaton senior Jackie Demling struck out four batters and gave up only three hits and two walks in six innings of work.