One hit was all that it took. Dee Wolfe’s three-run home run in the bottom of the third inning were the game’s only runs as Bloomsburg defeated Concordia-St.Paul 3-0 to open play at the 2005 Division II national tournament in Salem, Va.
Bloomsburg pitcher Amanda Smith (18-3) tossed a complete game shutout, scattering four hits and striking out seven. All-American pitcher Kristen Schmidt (27-7) took the loss for the Golden Bears, who are making their first appearance at the national tournament.
Concordia looked to open the game up in the first inning, loading the bases with one out. Amanda Yurek’s hard single through the left side failed to score Jen Pozzani from second, then Smith fanned Kristen Schmidt and Kelly Schweitz to end the threat.
Bloomsburg struck in the third. After Sarah McDaniel led off with a ground out, Jill Homyak reached on a bunt single, and was advanced on Amanda Breon’s single down the left field line. With two on and one out, Schmidt struck out Kelly Zalarski before Wolfe delivered a 1-1 pitch over the left center wall.
Smith retired nine straight before Schmidt reached on a bunt single. Scheweitz reached on a error to give the Bears another one-out threat, but Smith got a pop-out and a strikeout to end the fourth.
Concordia left one base runner in each of the last three innings, and eight total for the game, including four in scoring position.