The St. Thomas women’s softball team defeated Northwestern-St. Paul 9-0 in the 2019 NCAA softball tournament Thursday at South Field.

After dominating five straight innings, the Tommies (39-5 overall) recorded nine hits and two home runs over the Eagles (27-16) to come away with the victory.

“Northwestern didn’t have the best day, but they’re a very good team, way better than the score indicated,” coach John Tschida said. “But for us, our (players) just kind of capitalized.”

The Tommies were hot from the start, loading up the bases in the bottom of the first inning. Utility player Sam Birling crushed a ball over the left field wall for a grand slam, bringing the score to 4-0. The Tommies were eventually able to re-load the bases. Infielder Rachel Suter was able to reach first on an error which allowed infielder Megan Baniecke to score, ending the first inning at 5-0.

The Tommies would score at least one run in the next three innings, one being a lone homer from catcher Jenna Bromen in the third.

Birling would end the game 2-for-3 with fiveRBIs and one dinger.

“I just knew our team goal was start right in the first inning to score right off the bat,” Birling said. “To be put in that situation…our team has worked together and everybody just did what they could to get on and I was just there at the right time.”

With the shutout, Glass has pitched 30 consecutive innings without a run being scored.

“(I’m) just playing for my team…they have done so much for me, this season and when I was injured…I am playing for them, I’m playing for the team,” Glass said.

The Tommies will play the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire at 12 p.m. Friday.

“They’re a very good program, not just a good team,” Tschida said. “They’ll show up, they’ll play good softball and we’ll do the same, so we’re looking forward to a good competition.”

The last time the Tommies played the Blugolds was in March when the Tommies won 3-2.

Matthew Curry can be reached at curr1523@stthomas.edu.