Softball Blanks Bishops

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BURLINGTON, N.C. - Shenandoah University earned its second trip to the USA South Conference softball Tournament championship in three years with a 6-0 win over N.C. Wesleyan Sunday morning at Springwood Park.

Shenandoah (28-10) will meet Christopher Newport (34-5) in Sunday's championship beginning at 11:30 a.m. and the winner of the contest will receive the league's automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament.

SU has met the Captains three times previously this season, winning 1-0 before losing 5-1 and 3-1 decisions.

The Hornets got all of the offense they would need against the Bishops (13-27) Sunday morning with one run on two hits.

Sophomore Catherine Pruiett reached on a one-out error and moved to second when Catherine Beuerle singled to left.

One batter later, Jesse Heins roped another single into left to plate Pruiett with what proved to be the game-winning run.

It was all that senior Katie Haskins (16-3) would need, as she struck out four and allowed just one hit in pitching the first four innings.

With a 5-0 lead after a four-run third and the championship game looming, SU coach Marlena Kotynski replaced Haskins with freshman Brooke Over for the game's final nine outs.

Over posted her second save of the season by scattering three hits and striking out three.

Haskins, Heins and Lauren Wall led the offense with two hits each.