MONTCLAIR, NJ -- Salisbury University made two unearned runs stand up in defeating SUNY Cortland 2-1 on the second day of competion at the NCAA Division III Softball Championship at Montclair State University.

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Salisbury (40-6), which had as many errors as hits in the game with four each, squeezed out runs in the first and the third and then made some great defensive plays at the end to advance in the double-elimination tournament.

Cortland State (44-9), which was knocked out of the tournament with the loss, scored its only run in the top of the first. Sophomore second baseman Donnalyn Cross open the game with a single to left, advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt by senior designated player Crystal Carlson and eventually scored on a single to right field by junior catcher Sammi Dieffenbach.

Salisbury tied the game in the bottom on the first. Junior shortstop Kelly Waskewicz led off with a walk. She advanced to second on a throwing error by Cortland State junior first baseman Emily Ringen, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt by junior catcher Lauren Brennerman, and scored on a wild pitch from junior starting pitcher Katie Finch.

The Sea Gulls used almost the same method in scoring the deciding run in the bottom of the third. Senior leftfielder Meghan O'Gara started the inning with a single to left and then all the way to third on a second Ringen throwing error on a sacrifice bunt by Waskewicz. Junior Brittany Lounge then brought O'Gara home with a RBI single to left.

Cortland State had several opportunities over the final three inings of the game, but could not break through on Salisbury sophomore pitcher Kelsey Mills, who pitched the final four innings in relief of senior starter Stacey Davis for the win.

The Red Dragons had the bases loaded with no one out in the fifth inning and left runners on first and second in the sixth, coming up empty in both times.

Cortland State had a final chance in the seventh inning. Ringen, who was 3-for-4 in the game, led off with a double after missing a home run by inches, hitting the top of the left field. Freshman rightfielder Casey Zaino then became the hero for Salisbury. Zaino first threw out pinch runner Lexi Demmi at the plate after backing up on a throwing error by Waskewicz down the right field line and then made a diving catch in right center off the bat off senior rightfielder Betthany Williamson to end the game.