Thayer No-Hits Williams as Fisher Advances in World Series

Thayer No-Hits Williams as Fisher Advances in World Series

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NCAA DIVISION III BRACKET

OKLAHOMA CITY, Okla. – Junior pitcher Lindsey Thayer made history on Thursday after tossing a no-hitter in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Softball World Series as nationally-ranked St. John Fisher College defeated nationally-ranked Williams College, 2-0, at ASA Hall of Fame Stadium.  With the win, Fisher advanced in the World Series and set a program record for wins at 42-6.  Williams fell to 36-12 overall and will look to stay alive in the Championship when it takes on St. Catherine's Friday in an elimination bout. 
  
Thayer, who has now pitched three no-hitters this season including a perfect game on April 22, moved to 29-5 on the season after throwing seven shutout innings.  The Winthrop native tallied 11 strikeouts and was one walk away from being perfect on the day.

After Thayer struck out the side in the top of the first, her offense staked her to a 1-0 lead in the home half of the frame.  Julia Sortisio led off the inning with a four-pitch walk and moved into scoring position after Katie Mazierski dropped down a bunt single.  The next hitter, Ashley Prince, moved the pair over with a sacrifice bunt before Sarah Kubik drove in a run with a ground out to the right side to give the Cardinals a one-run edge.

Still clinging to a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the sixth, Fisher tacked on an insurance run as Prince smacked a stand-up double to left before Kubik collected her second RBI of the game with a line drive to center to put the Cardinals up by a pair heading to the top of the seventh.

In the top of the seventh, Thayer got the lead of hitter to foul out before the next grounded out to Danielle Ventrone at shortstop.  Thayer sealed the win and the no-no by striking out the last batter to put a stamp on the game.

Fisher now advances into the winner's bracket where it will face Illinois Wesleyan at 4 p.m. on Friday.  The Titans earned their meeting with Fisher after dispatching of St. Catherine's earlier on Thursday with a 7-0 triumph.