TYLER, Texas – Despite first baseman Erin Mussett’s sixth-inning RBI that sent the game to extra innings, the St. Thomas softball team couldn’t outlast Salisbury University as the Sea Gulls defeated the Tommies 3-2 in nine innings Sunday, ending St. Thomas’ run in the Division III College World Series.
After losing to Salisbury (42-3) 1-0 in its opening game of the tournament, St. Thomas (44-7) had a chance for revenge after two wins in elimination games left the Tommies and Sea Gulls as the only two teams remaining in their pool of the tournament. Though the Tommies couldn’t manage a run in the first game played between the two teams, they opened the scoring in the third inning of Sunday’s contest. 
Left fielder Kirstin Bigelbach got things started for St. Thomas when her third-inning single eventually led to the first run of the game. After Bigelbach advanced to second base with two outs, shortstop Jenna Hoffman singled to Salisbury pitcher Rachel Johnson, whose throwing error on the play allowed Bigelbach to score and give St. Thomas a 1-0 lead.
Despite allowing the unearned run in the third, Salisbury quickly responded with a run of their own in the top of the fourth inning, prompting coach John Tschida to pull starting pitcher Katie Jo Delisle in favor of Kendra Bowe. Though Bowe got out of the fourth inning with just one run scored, Salisbury tacked on one more run in the fifth to take a 2-1 lead.
Trailing by one run with only six outs potentially remaining in their season, the Tommies answered with a run of their own in the sixth inning to tie the game at two. After a pair of singles from right fielder Bianca Peterson and catcher Emily Gregory, Mussett ripped a hit down the third baseline that sent Peterson home for the game-tying run.
With neither team able to muster any offense in the seventh inning, the game went to extra innings with both teams’ seasons on the line.
After a scoreless eighth inning, the Sea Gulls started off the ninth with two hits and a sac bunt, advancing runners to second and third base. Bowe struck out Sea Gull pinch hitter Virginia Walther with the bases loaded for the second out of the inning, however, Salisbury’s next batter —shortstop Kim Dorsey—singled to score one run and give the Sea Gulls a 3-2 lead.
St. Thomas failed to record a hit in the bottom of the ninth inning, sending Salisbury to the national final and ending the Tommies’ season.
In the last 13 seasons, Tommie softball has had a top five finish five times.
The Tommies graduate 10 seniors from this year’s team, including six starters. Seniors Emily Gregory and Jenna Hoffman both received All-America honors for their performance this season, along with sophomore Brenna Walek. This year’s graduating class won 164 games over four seasons.
Jacob Sevening can be reached at seve8586@stthomas.edu.