Solid pitching by Kierstin Anderson-Glass and hitting by infielder Elise Barnes helped St. Thomas softball defeat St. Olaf 1-0 in the first game of the MIAC playoffs Friday at South Field.

Barnes hit a triple and a double for the Tommies (20-3 MIAC, 36-5 overall) recording two of the team’s four total hits and scored the only run to defeat the Oles (16-7 MIAC, 26-13 overall).

“It was a battle the whole time,” Barnes said. “They’re a good team and we’re fortunate to come out on top today.”

Both teams started off slow with only Oles right fielder Ally Bode and Tommies second baseman Melissa Barry getting a hit in the first two innings. Barnes would hit a two-out triple in the bottom of the third and would score on a wild pitch thrown by Oles pitcher Julie Graf soon after.

“My game plan at the plate was just to find a pitch that I could barrel up on and I knew we needed baserunners,” Barnes said.

The Oles looked to be on the verge of a comeback in the top of the seventh after catcher Emily Carr hit a double, sending third baseman Hannah Mattheis to third with only one out. Mattheis would attempt to tie the game by running home after Glass threw out batter Abby Grismer at first, but was called out after being tagged by Tommie catcher Jenna Bromen for the double-play to end the game.

Glass tallied her ninth shut out of the season with the win.

“They put the ball in play, they did all game, but I trust my defense and I trust myself,” Glass said.

Coach John Tschida praised the Oles pitcher for her solid effort in the game, believing it helped prepare the Tommies for the three-day tournament.

“It’s nice to face (Graf) on one of her better days, she was throwing very well, throwing strikes, it was a good challenge and that’s what we were looking for,” Tschida said.

With the win the Tommies will play either Hamline or St. Catherine on Saturday at 11 a.m.

“Both are very good teams, both are competitive… it’s perfect playoff ball,” Tschida said.

Matthew Curry can be reached at curr1523@stthomas.edu