BLACKSBURG, Va. — The Miami University softball team shut out St. Francis (Pa.) 4-0 Saturday night in NCAA regional play. The RedHawks (40-16-1) will face Virginia Tech later this evening in an elimination game. St. Francis ends its season at 37-18.

Brianna Pratt went the distance in the circle to improve her record to 19-5 on the year. Three Miami players belted solo home runs in the contest.

 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• The RedHawks took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. With one out, Holly Blaska put Miami on top with a solo homer to right field. Two batters later, Riley Coyne followed with a blast off the scoreboard in right center.
• Miami added a run in the third to make it 3-0. After drawing a walk, Karli Spaid stole second base and then came around to score on a two-out single to right by Allie Cummins.
• Lily Wilmot gave the Red and White a 4-0 lead in the fourth with a solo shot to left field.

 
MIAMI GAME NOTES

• The RedHawks picked up their first NCAA Tournament victory since 2016.
• Wilmot's home run was her 10th of the season, making her the sixth Miami player this year to reach double figures.
• Pratt scattered five hits in the shutout victory, striking out six and yielding a single walk.
• Miami reached the 40-win mark for the third time in program history and the second year in a row.

 
UP NEXT:
 
Miami will take on host Virginia Tech in the next game of the Blacksburg Regional. First pitch is set for approximately 10:40 p.m. on Saturday, May 21. The game will air on ACC Network.