LITTLE FALLS, N.J. Texas-Tyler used three solo home runs on its way to a 4-2 victory over Ohio Northern on the second day of completion at the NCAA Division III Softball Championship at Montclair State University on Saturday.

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Texas-Tyler (39-9) jumped out at the start as senior leftfielder Roo Richardson drove the third pitch of the game from junior pitcher Courtney Cash over the right field fence for a quick 1-0 lead.

Senior first baseman Kate Bell provided a repeat performance with a lead-off home run to right in the top of second inning to extend the Patriots lead to 2-0.

Ohio Northern (39-6) got on the scoreboard in the bottom of the third. With two outs, the Polar Bears got back-to-back hits with a single to left by Cash and then an RBI double to center by junior centerfielder Amanda Frought to make the score 2-1.

Ohio Northern threatened in both the fourth and fifth innings. The Polar Bears stranded runners at second and third in the fourth and then in the fifth, had a runner at second with no one out. Sophomore pitcher Kelsey Ainsworth came on in relief for Texas-Tyler sophomore starter Stacey Shepherd and closed the door with three straight outs.

Texas-Tyler gave itself some insurance in the top of the sixth inning with its third home run of the game. Sophomore rightfielder Whitney Wyley provided the third lead-off homer of the game, hitting a 2-1 pitch to right. Bell followed with a single to left and after two wild pitches, the second by Ohio Northern reliever Maggie Molnar, advanced to third. Two outs later, junior shortstop Amanda Busby delivered Bell with a single to right to make the score 4-1.

Ohio Northern rallied in the bottom of the seventh, scoring on an RBI-single by sophomore shortstop Liz Decima with two outs. After a walk to junior rightfielder Tina Mangola loaded the bases, senior leftfielder Danielle Goubeaux hit a sharp line drive which was headed through a hole on the right side of the infield. Unfortunately, the ball struck teammate Mangola in the foot to end the game.

Bell was 2-for-3 with two runs scored for Texas-Tyler while junior designated player Megan Hutson also had two hits for the Patriots.

Goubeaux, the team’s lone senior, was 3-for-4 for Ohio Northern, which was knocked out of the double-elimination tournament with its second loss.