For the third time in four seasons, the softball powerhouse at Virginia Wesleyan University is headed back to the NCAA Division III World Series.
The top-ranked and unbeaten Marlins erupted offensively from the opening inning and never looked back, rolling past Case Western Reserve University by a 15-0 final in the NCAA Super Regional. Virginia Wesleyan improved to a perfect 50-0 on the season while securing its place among the final eight teams in Division III softball.
Inside the circle, Emma Adams was equally dominant. The right-hander tossed five shutout innings, allowing just four hits while striking out four to improve to 23-0 on the season. The Marlins defense backed her throughout, turning in a flawless effort without committing an error.
The offense piled up 16 hits in the victory, led by Deitsch's four-hit, three-RBI performance. Tucker drove in three runs while Knight scored three times and added two hits. Adams finished with three RBIs, including the home run, while Pollack added two hits and an RBI.
The Marlins wasted no time seizing control in the first inning with a four-run outburst. After Samantha Deitsch opened the rally with a single, Morgan Tucker worked a walk to place two aboard. Taylor McQueen then ripped a double down the left field line to bring home the game's first run before Alison Pollack followed with an RBI single to make it 2-0. Olivia Knight continued the barrage with a run-scoring double to right center, extending the advantage to three. Later in the inning, a wild pitch allowed Knight to race home with the fourth run of the frame as Virginia Wesleyan jumped ahead 4-0 before Case Western Reserve recorded its third out.
Virginia Wesleyan broke the game wide open in the third inning with five more runs. Pollack drew a leadoff walk before Knight singled to put runners at first and second. Emma Adams advanced both runners with a sacrifice bunt, and pinch hitter Riley Curtice delivered immediately with a two-run single to left center that was misplayed in the outfield, allowing Curtice to reach second while extending the lead to 6-0. Sarah Prosser later walked and Samantha Deitsch drove in another run with a single through the right side. Moments later, Tucker lined a two-run single up the middle, plating Campbell and Prosser to push the margin to 9-0.
The Marlins kept the pressure on in the fourth. Prosser singled and Campbell followed with a double down the left field line to place two in scoring position. Deitsch then delivered the biggest swing of the inning, blasting a triple into right center to score both runners. Tucker followed again with an RBI single up the middle to cap the three-run frame and extend the lead to 12-0.
Virginia Wesleyan delivered the knockout punch in the fifth inning. Pollack started the rally with a double before Knight was hit by a pitch to set the stage for Adams. The Marlins' ace helped her own cause in emphatic fashion, crushing a three-run homer to left field to make it 15-0 and seal the dominant afternoon.
Virginia Wesleyan now advances to the NCAA Division III World Series, carrying an unbeaten 50-0 record and overwhelming momentum onto the national stage.
The 2026 NCAA DIII Softball Super Regional Hosted By Virginia Wesleyan Most Outstanding Pitcher and Most Outstanding Player of the Tournament was Sophomore #27 Hannah Hearl and Sophomore #25 Morgan Tucker
