Tyler, Texas — Defending national champion Tufts University continued its winning ways in the postseason in a powerful way, hitting back-to-back homers twice in a 9-3 victory over East Texas Baptist on the opening day of the NCAA Division III Championship at Texas-Tyler’s Suddenlink Field.

NCAA home run leader and first team NFCA All-American Jo Clair led the power surge for the (42-3) Jumbos, with a blast to lead off the fourth ahead of Cassie Ruscz’s homer. She then followed Gracie Marshall’s homer in the sixth with her 22nd blast of the season. Fellow first team All-American Allyson Fournier, last year’s NCAA Championship Most Outstanding Player, struck out eight and threw 74 strikes among her 121 pitches in the complete-game victory.

Tufts, which hasn’t played at home since April, is now 9-0 this postseason, with all games played on the road. They will face Montclair State at 7:30 p.m. ET Friday in a winner’s bracket contest.

Alyssa Romero homered and drove in all three runs for the (44-8) Tigers in the loss, who will play Trine at 2:30 p.m. Friday in an elimination game.

Salisbury 1, St. Thomas 0

First team All-American Rachel Johnson pitched a four-hitter and fanned 10 in the win for the (40-3) Sea Gulls, who scored their lone run on a bases-loaded walk in the fourth. Salisbury will play Wisconsin-Whitewater in a 5 p.m. ET winner’s bracket game on Friday.

Emily Gregory went 2-for-3 in the loss for the (42-6) Tommies, who will play Rochester in a noon ET elimination game.

Montclair State 3, Trine 1

The (41-6) Red Hawks scored two runs on a fielder’s choice to break a 1-1 tie in the seventh and first team All-American Alex Hill allowed five hits in a pitcher’s duel for the first five innings with (42-4) Thunder ace Bree Fuller.

Kendra Marshall homered to account for Trine’s lone run.

Wisconsin-Whitewater 8, Rochester 7

Third team All-American Morgan Krisch drove in the winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning, as the (37-11) Warhawks collected 14 hits while rallying from a 6-1 deficit.

Third team All-American Tayler Fravel and Alyssa Murillo had three hits apiece in the loss for the (32-12) Yellowjackets.

For complete details on the NCAA Division III Championship, check out our tournament site here