MONTCLAIR, NJ  – Freshman pitcher Jessica Rhoads tossed a two-hitter and knocked in the game’s only runs in leading Messiah College to a 2-0 shutout win over Gustavus Adolphus in a winner’s bracket contest at the NCAA Division III Softball Championship at Montclair State University on Saturday.

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Rhodes struck out 12 batters and did not allow a walk in the contest in improving her record to 26-1 on the season. The righthander gave up a hit in the first inning and then retired 17 straight batters before allowing a second single, both to senior shortstop Rachel Click.

Messiah (41-4) got their only runs in the bottom of the first inning. Freshman second baseman Abi Buchler led off with a single down the right field line. Sophomore centerfielder Rebekkah Funk then reached on a sacrifice bunt single. Buchler and Funk advanced to third and second respectively, after a sacrifice bunt by freshman leftfielder Jaclyn Merkel. Rhodes, who was 2-for 3 at the plate, then drove in both runners with a single to right center field.

Gustavus Adolphus (40-8) received a solid pitching performance from sophomore righthanded pitcher Erin Truebenbach, who only allowed two runs while scattering seven hits in the game.

The loss was the first for Gustavus Adolphus in the tournament while Messiah remained undefeated.