Softball tops Simpson, plays tonight

The softball team opened up its NCAA regional tournament Thursday with a 4-1 win over Simpson College in Indianola, Iowa.

Senior Marta Radcliffe led the Tommies (38-6) by pitching a complete game three-hitter, striking out eight and giving up the lone run in the final inning.

Radcliffe tacked on an RBI, adding to junior Becky Eischens’ solo home run to spark the St. Thomas offense. Eischens’ home run came in the fifth inning, after a two-run fourth where junior Sydney Marquardt doubled.

The Tommies advance to play Illinois Wesleyan at 6 p.m Friday.