D-III Playoffs: Brunette's RBI Lifts 'Cats Past Mississippi

Linfield's Erica Hancock with 3 for 4 in the game.

Jenny Marshall scored the winning run in 9th. Photo: Linfield Athletics

PINEVILLE, La. - Meredith Brunette drilled a game-winning RBI single through the infield, lifting the Linfield Wildcats to a 4-3 nine-inning victory over Mississippi College Saturday at the NCAA Division III West Regionals.

The Wildcats equaled a school record with their 37th win of the season and play a second elimination game against Louisiana College.

That game, however, has been delayed a minimum of 30 minutes by lightning.

Mississippi College, which set a school record for most wins in one season, saw its season come to a close at 39-10.

Linfield put two runs on the board in the first inning as Amanda Attleberger and Erica Hancock each banged out RBIs singles.

The Choctaws closed to within one run in the third, scoring on a sacrifice fly by Kayla Watkins.

The teams traded runs in the fifth, then Mississippi College pulled even in the sixth when Wildcats relief pitcher Brittany Miller walked Adrienne Ard with the bases loaded.

The game remained deadlocked at 3 until the ninth, when Jenny Marshall singled, stole second, then scored on Brunette’s low line drive that penetrated the Choctaws interior defense.

Hancock with 3 for 4 in the game, driving in two runs. Brunette went 3 for 5 and Marshall was 2 for 5 with two runs scored.

Kendra Strahm pitched the first 5 2/3 innings before running into trouble. Miller collected the win, her 18th of the season, striking out six Choctaws over the final 3 1/3 innings.

Katie Perry took the loss for MC. Randi Moak, Michelle Cochran and Nikki McClaskey each had a pair of hits.

Both teams had 10 hits but the difference was Miller, who came in and held the Choctaws at bay.

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