BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The University of Redlands Softball team (40-10) won the program's first NCAA Division III Women's College World Series game Friday evening as they shut out the No. 7 seed Texas Lutheran University (TLU) 2-0 behind Katlyn Gandara's (Whittier, CA) complete game and two-run single.  

In the bottom half of the first inning with no one on and two outs senior Kassidy Long (Hemet, CA), just like yesterday, reached base drawing a four-pitch walk. Leila Jackson (Vallejo, CA) then followed getting hit by a pitch.  Gandara then stepped in and took advantage of the opportunity driving a two-run single into center field that made the score 2-0.  

In the third the Bulldogs looked to extend their lead with Long at second and Jackson at first following lead off singles. The following two hitters, however, hit into fielder's choices and Isabella Culp (Bayliss, CA) was caught stealing as the threat ended.

TLU had a response in the next half inning getting the tying runs in scoring position after a single and a double. With two outs on the board, though, Gandara induced a fly ball to Jenay Scott (Merced, CA) to keep the Bulldogs scoreless after four innings.

In the fifth Gandara was in another jam after allowing a double and walking two that loaded the bases. Again, with two outs she got out of trouble with a ground ball to Avery Provenzano (San Jose, CA).

The seventh and final inning saw TLU put two runners on base thanks to a pair of walks after the first two batters lined out and grounded out. On a 2-1 pitch Gandara got another ground ball this time to Saya Fujii (San Jose, CA) at shortstop who made the force play to end the game and keep the Bulldogs alive in the championships.  

Long and Gandara had four of the eight total hits and walks. Gandara had the game-winning hit with her first inning two-run single.  Gandara also picked up her 15th win on the season throwing a complete game in the circle not allowing a run and surrendering just four hits and working around four walks.     

Redlands will now play another elimination game tomorrow morning, Saturday, May 31 at 11:30 a.m. pacific daylight time when they play a familiar foe in No. 4 seed Linfield University for the opportunity to advance to the semifinals and a rematch with No. 3 seed Trine University on Sunday.