Virginia Wesleyan is headed to the NCAA Super Regionals!
The nationally top-ranked Marlins captured the NCAA Regional Championship on Saturday afternoon with a gritty 3-2 victory over Pfeiffer at TowneBank Park, improving to a perfect 48-0 on the season and earning a matchup with Case Western Reserve next weekend in Virginia Beach.
Hannah Hearl went the distance in the circle, scattering six hits while striking out six over seven innings.
Laci Campbell led the offensive effort with two hits and an RBI, and teammate Sarah Prosser registered two hits. Alison Pollack added an RBI double, and Samantha Deitsch also recorded a hit in the win.
After a scoreless opening inning, the Marlins broke through first in the bottom of the second. Morgan Tucker started the frame with a single before eventually advancing into scoring position. Alison Pollack then delivered in a clutch moment, ripping an RBI double to bring Tucker home and give Virginia Wesleyan a 1-0 advantage.
Pfeiffer answered in the top of the third to even the score at 1-1, but the Marlins immediately responded with the decisive inning in the bottom half.
Taylor McQueen worked a leadoff walk and Tucker followed with a single to put pressure on the Falcons defense. With the bases loaded later in the inning, Laci Campbell lined a two-out single that plated McQueen and moved Tucker into scoring position. Virginia Wesleyan added another run moments later when Tucker raced home on a Pfeiffer error, extending the Marlins lead to 3-1.
Pfeiffer threatened late, scoring once in the top of the seventh and bringing the tying run aboard, but the Marlins closed the door to secure the regional title in front of the home crowd.
That advantage proved to be enough for Hannah Hearl and the VWU defense.
With the victory, Virginia Wesleyan advances to the NCAA Super Regionals, where the Marlins will host Case Western Reserve next weekend at TowneBank Park with a trip to the NCAA Division III Women's College World Series on the line.
2026 NCAA Softball Regional Hosted by Virginia Wesleyan University All-Tournament Team
Most Outstanding Player - Hannah Hearl (VWU)
VWU - Samantha Deitsch
VWU - Alison Pollack
VWU - Sarah Prosser
Pfeiffer - Mollie Bulla
Pfeiffer - Landry Stewart
Pfeiffer - Brooke Piper
Manhattanville - Emma Foster
Manhattanville - Jori Wilkendorf
John Jay - Kendal Bryant
