(Indianola, IA) - In what was slated to be the proverbial battle of David vs. Goliath the Webster University softball team was unfazed.  The Gorloks defeated St. Thomas 3-1 in the opening round of the NCAA Regional Tournament.

St. Thomas entered the NCAA Tournament as the #2 ranked team in the nation and the #1 seed in the Simpson College Regional.  At 39-4 and sporting a .404 batting average (best in the nation), the climb to victory for Webster seemed nearly impossible.  Webster, ranked #8 in the regional with a 23-16 record and fresh off a SLIAC Tournament victory, came into the tournament seemingly unfazed by their opponents credentials.

The Gorloks opened up on the Tommies quickly when junior Tara Camenzind singled to center to drive in senior Allie Park in the top of the second.  Webster furthter extended the lead over St. Thomas in the top of the third when senior Dana Vahey hit a hard line drive off of the left field wall for a triple and scored on a throwing error.

St. Thomas scored their only run of the game in the bottom of the fourth when Kallie Samuelson had a sacrifice fly to drive in Colleen Owen.

Webster added to their lead when Allie Park was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded and the Gorloks never looked back, defeating the Tommies 3-1.

Senior Gina Trapani and junior Megan Sperry combined for the victory.  Trapani picked up the win pitching 3.2 innings while giving up four hits, one run, and five walks while striking out two Tommies.  Sperry finished off the final 3.1 innings while giving up one hit and one walk.  Marta Radcliffe pitched the entire game for St. Thomas giving up five hits and three unearned runs while walking six and striking out seven in the losing effort.

"We've been telling the girls all year play your game and you can beat anybody.  They proved it today." says head coach Chris Eaton.

Webster will play tomorrow at 4:00pm vs the winner of Wisconsin-LaCrosse and Wartburg.