BLOOMINGTON, Illinois — The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team punched their ticket to the NCAA Division III semifinals on Thursday afternoon with a commanding 8-4 win over No. 6 Linfield. Behind a dynamic offensive effort and steady pitching, the No. 1-ranked Marlins improved to 48-3-1 (21-1 ODAC) and continue their postseason march.

Virginia Wesleyan wasted no time putting pressure on Linfield, striking first in the second inning. Olivia Knight got the Marlins rolling with a single through the left side before Haley Sadler followed with a sharp hit to right center. After a sacrifice bunt from Alexis Hudgens moved both runners into scoring position, Sarah Prosser’s groundout brought Knight home to give VWU an early 1–0 lead.

The offense kept rolling in the third. Back-to-back si

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