Salem, Va. — Lindsay Bramhall singled home two runs in the third, and that’s all Muskingum would need as the Muskies held off Wheaton for a 2-0 win in the opening round of the 2004 NCAA Division III National Championship. 

Louisville Slugger/NFCA First-team all-American Erica Hoyt was only able to pitch two innings, but Andrea Crow stepped in and shut down the Lyons’ offense. 

Wheaton (32-11-1) had chances to score in the top of the third, but Jessica Foster flied out to center and the Muskies’ Erin Zupko threw a bullet to the plate in time for Jennifer Feldkircher to tag out Courtney Prior, who led off the frame with a single. 

Hoyt pitched two innings of perfect softball for Muskingum (42-5) before Andrea Crow came in and went the remaining five innings to pick up the win, allowing just five hits while striking out three. 

Muskingum advances to face either Cortland State or St. Thomas tomorrow at 6:30 p.m. EDT, while Wheaton will face the loser of Friday’s final contest tomorrow at 1:30 p.m.