Virginia Wesleyan Reaches NCAA DIII Softball Finals

Virginia Wesleyan University's softball team, the Marlins, has advanced to the NCAA Division III championship finals as the top seed, extending their winning streak to 17 games. They opened the finals with a mercy-rule victory over Randolph-Macon, highlighted by freshman Morgan Tucker's two home runs, and followed with an 8-4 win against Linfield. The Marlins' success has been fueled by a deep pitching staff led by Lauren Bible and Hannah Hearl, with ace Emma Adams returning from injury to bolster their efforts. Coach Brandon Elliott has praised the squad's completeness and strong team culture, citing their adaptability and support for one another. The team has allowed just 64 earned runs in 308 innings this season. Now, Virginia Wesleyan needs just one more win to reach the championship series as they pursue their fourth national title since 2017.