The greatest season in Arkansas Tech University softball history reached a new plateau on Saturday afternoon.
The nationally seventh-ranked Golden Suns (49-9) defeated Upper Iowa University 1-0 in the NCAA Division II Tournament Central Regional final at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex in Russellville.
Jalissa Gum (22-2) pitched her third consecutive complete-game shutout in the regional to lead Arkansas Tech to victory. Gum limited the Peacocks to five hits while striking out six over seven innings.
A junior from Red Rock, Okla., Gum pitched all 25 innings of the regional for the Golden Suns. She has allowed just two earned runs in her last 86 and one-third innings of work dating back to April 3.
The lone run of Saturday’s game came on a home run by Kambri Hill with two out in the top of the sixth inning.
It was the second home run of the regional for Hill. The senior from Springdale delivered a two-run shot in the 11th inning to give Tech a 2-0 win over Minnesota State on Friday.
Upper Iowa completed its season with an overall record of 41-19.
With Saturday’s victory, Arkansas Tech advances to host an NCAA Division II Tournament super regional on Wednesday, May 11, and Thursday, May 12, at the Chartwells Women’s Sports Complex.
The Golden Suns’ opponent in the best-of-three games super regional will be fellow Great American Conference member Southern Arkansas University (49-9).
It will be the first super regional appearance in Arkansas Tech softball history. The winner of the Arkansas Tech-SAU super regional will advance to the NCAA Division II Championships May 17-21 in Denver, Colo.
Game times for the super regional will be announced at www.arkansastechsports.com as they become available.