LeMoyne
GC&SU
SALEM, Ore. -- Jennifer Joiner tossed a one hit shutout to lead Georgia College and State University to a 1-0 win over LeMoyne in opening round play at the 2003 NCAA Division II Softball Championships.
GC&SU, who did not have a winning season prior to 1999, took advantage of their first ever trip to the championships, and will face the winner of West Florida and Shippensburg on Friday.
The Bobcats (40-7) scored the game's only run in the first inning when Amy Davenport singled in Joni Frei. Joiner responded with fastballs nearing 70 mph, retiring the first 13 batters before Lindsay Connor reached on an error. Megan Vecchiano broke up the no-hitter with a seventh inning two-out single.
"She threw a great game for us," said GC&SU head coach Wendy Thees. "She is such a big competitor, even though she didn't have her best stuff."
Joni Frei led the Bobcats at the plate, delivering two hits and the game's only run.
"I told my players that the first game is key, especially in a tournament like this," said Thees, whose squad made their first-ever regional appearance in 2003.
Marnie Sundberg (24-6) took the loss for LeMoyne. The Dolphins will play an elimination game Friday morning against the loser of West Florida and Shippensburg.
