Oklahoma City, OK – In true Adelphi fashion, the Panthers put up two runs in the top of the first inning on an RBI double by Jaclyn Binstock to eventually snap the eight game win-streak of the University of Central Missouri. With a 4-1 final, the Adelphi softball team (31-20) advances to play Dixie State Friday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m.
 
"They played our brand of softball, which is a really cool thing to watch – it's gritty, it's fun and a risk-taking mentality," commented Head Coach Bree Nasti. "I think they played really loose and they enjoy this game and I think that's what we saw which is why it went well."
 
Krista King (3-3, two runs) wasted no time in her first college World Series at-bat, reaching on an infield single. With two outs, Brenna Martini drew a walk and both were later brought around by Binstock's double to left field to jump out to a 2-0 lead.
 
The Brown and Gold tacked on another run in the third inning as King led off with a base hit to be pushed across by a single from Wink to the left side. After Mapes retired the Jennies in order in the third, the Panthers forced a pitching change for the home team after designated player Mary O'Reilly led off the fourth inning with a double to left center.
 
Central Missouri loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth inning on back-to-back singles and a walk but were unable to put any runs on the board as Lindsay Mapes and the defense worked out of the jam. Adelphi increased the lead to 4-0 on a Megan Lewis single to left field scoring Wink.
 
Mapes retired batters in order in four out of her seven innings completed, while allowing six hits and one run in the bottom of the seventh, when UCM's Carlie Rose belted a solo shot to left field to cut the Panther lead to three.
 
"I relied heavily on my curve ball today," commented Mapes. "That team was fairly aggressive all game, but in the seventh inning and if my mechanics aren't working right on other pitches, I know how to get myself back on track."
 
For the first time since becoming a Division II program, Adelphi will play on in the Division II Softball Championship as they face Dixie State (50-7) out of the West Region, who defeated California University of Pennsylvania earlier Thursday, 1-0.