RUSSELLVILLE, Ark. – For the first time in the history of the program, the top-seeded Arkansas Tech Golden Suns softball team (49-9) will advance to the NCAA Central Super Regional after defeating Upper Iowa (41-18) 1-0 Saturday afternoon at the Chartwells Women's Sports Complex.
 
For the second day in a row, Kambri Hill hit a game-winning home run to left field, this time coming in the sixth inning that provided the only score of the game. Jalissa Gum pitched another complete-game shutout, striking out Riley Kruel for the final out to give her a third complete-game shutout victory in the tournament.
 
NEXT UP
The Golden Suns will face second-seeded Southern Arkansas (49-9) in the NCAA D-II Central Super Regional next week with the winner advancing to the NCAA D-II Softball Championships. The games will be held at the Chartwells Women's Sports Complex with times and dates yet to be determined.
 
TECH STARTING LINEUP

1. Alex Edinger (3B)
2. Ashley Anderson (RF)
3. Destiny Crumpley (DP)
4. Kambri Hill (CF)
5. Sarah Coronado (SS)
6. Janie Knowles (C)
7. Megan Goodnight (1B)
8. Sydnie Henson (LF)
9. Gaby Vasquez (2B)

 
UIU STARTING LINEUP

1. Riley Kruel (SS)
2. Sami Kay Shafranski (LF)
3. Jacqueline Flood (DP)
4. Erica Kirgan (1B)
5. Tara Walls (2B)
6. Tara Duran (C)
7. Lauren Marlinghaus (3B)
8. Katie Sammons (RF)
9. Sammy Garrett (CF)

 
SCORING PLAYS

• Tech 6^th - K. Hill homered to left field, RBI (2-1 BSB). (Tech 1, UIU 0)

 
OF RECORD

• Winning Pitcher: Jalissa Gum (22-2)
• Losing Pitcher: Brooke Redmond (22-6)

 
NOTABLES

• Kambri Hill led the Suns, going 1-of-2 from the plate with a solo home run, an RBI and a run scored.
• Alex Edinger and Janie Knowles each recorded two hits apiece.
• Jalissa Gum lowered her season ERA to 0.56, pitching seven scoreless innings and giving up just five hits and one walk while striking out six.
• In the bottom of the fifth, Sydnie Henson made a fantastic diving catch in left field for the first out of the frame and shifting momentum to the Suns.