University of St. Thomas Athletics
Gustavus Adolphus
Softball soars to 13th NCAA playoff berth in 14 years
5/9/2010 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Senior Marta Radcliffe threw a one-hit shutout and had a 2-for-3 day at the plate to lead No. 24-ranked St. Thomas to a 4-0 win over Gustavus in Sunday's MIAC softball playofff championship game in Mankato.
Coach John Tschida's Tommies are now 21-0 all-time in the seven-year history of the conference playoffs. They've won 26 of 27 games this season against MIAC opponents.
UST (37-6) claimed the conference's automatic berth into the NCAA playoffs for the seventh consecutive season. The Toms will learn their regional playoff assignment Monday morning when the national field is announced.
The Tommies, who have won 17 in a row and 35 of their last 37, are in the NCAA playoffs for the 13th time in 14 seasons.
UST, which outhit the Gusties 10-1, outscored three playoff foes 18-3. In 18 innings this weekend, Radcliffe allowed one run, five hits and three walks with 23 strikeouts. Radcliffe has won 24 of her last 25 decisions. In seven career games vs. Gustavus, she is 6-1 with an 0.70 ERA.
Becky Eischens and Rachel Tondryk each had two hits.
Radlcliffe was named playoff MVP and was joined on the All-Tournament Team by teammates Alison Wright, Eischens and Erica Wilson.
Click here for Sunday box score:
http://www.tommiesports.com/sftbl/stats/5-9-sb.htm
Above: UST celebrates its championship; Below, Erica Wilson (9) and Alison Wright get the playoff trophy. (Photos courtesy Gustavus)
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