CHATTANOOGA, TN. – On Saturday, Pace University softball made the most of a key second-inning rally and a lights-out performance from Gisselle Garcia to take down Shippensburg, 2–0, in their second game of the NCAA Division II Championship at Frost Stadium. It was the kind of win that showed exactly why the Setters are one of the most dangerous teams in the country, with timely hitting, great defense, and dominant pitching.

The win improves the Setters to 47–12 on the season and advances the team in the national tournament bracket.

Here's What Happened

• After a quick first inning on both sides, the Setters found their opening in the top of the second. Raelle Gorman worked a walk to start the push, and Brianna Shea followed by taking a pitch off the arm to put two runners aboard. When Jade Alvarado drew another free pass, the bases were full with one out, giving a prime opportunity for the Blue and Gold to strike early.
• Sophie Valle then stepped into the box and laced a single to right field, scoring Gorman easily. Then, as Shea rounded third, a misfire from the Raiders' right fielder allowed her to slide in safely as well, making the score 2-0. Two runs, and just one hit in the frame, showcased exactly the kind of opportunistic inning that's fueled Pace's postseason run.
• Garcia came back out and struck out the side in the bottom of the second, including a punch-out to strand two runners and shut the door on any answer from the Raiders. Heading into the third inning, Pace had a firm grasp on the game as both sides of the field favored the Blue and Gold.
• Offenses remained quiet throughout the remainder of the contest, and in the bottom half of the fourth, Garcia slammed the door again, after striking out two more batters and getting a fly-out to right to keep the lead intact.
• Though the Setters didn't score again, the momentum stayed firmly on their side heading into the bottom half of the seventh. Garcia calmly recorded the final three outs, locking up the 2-0 shutout and helping Pace move one step closer to a national title.

Box Score Insights

• The East Region and Northeast-10 Pitcher of the Year was electric, striking out 10 and allowing just five hits over seven shutout innings. Garcia walked two but stranded runners in nearly every frame, keeping the Raiders off balance with her usual command in the circle. Garcia, now 29–5 on the year, threw 117 pitches and earned her 13th complete-game shutout of the season.
• Behind Garcia, the Setters were rock-solid defensively as there wasn't a single miscue in the field with clean and efficient play throughout all seven innings.
• Valle delivered the game-winning hit (1-for-2) and helped produce both runs in the national tournament shutout win.
• Willa Poplawski (1-for-3) and Alvarado (1-for-2) each tallied a base-knock in the win while Gorman and Shea reached base on a walk.
• Though the Setters were limited to just three hits, two runs were all they needed to advance to the next portion of the bracket.

Up Next (2025 NCAA Division II Softball Championship - #5 Saginaw Valley State University)
Fresh off their win against Shippensburg, the Blue and Gold now look to keep their NCAA run alive against the fifth-seeded Cardinals of Saginaw Valley State University. The first pitch of the game is set for 6:30 p.m. tonight (May 24th) as the Setters hope to punch their ticket into the final four.

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