ST. LOUIS, Mo. - For the first time since Greenville University's entrance into the NCAA in 1995, a Greenville University team has earned an NCAA Division III national tournament win.  On Thursday afternoon, the softball team defeated Washington-St. Louis 7-5 in the opening game of the regional tournament to pick up the historic win.

The Panthers established an early lead, scoring the first seven runs of the game.  Valerie Greenley smashed a three-run homer in the first inning as GU struck first.

Greenville added a single run in the third and fourth innings and a pair of runs in the sixth.

Washington-St. Louis eventually ran GU starting pitcher Sydnee Garrett from the game in the seventh inning after scoring two in the sixth and making the score 7-3 in the seventh with runners on base.

Melissa Bernal entered the game and collected the save.

The Panthers (35-8), who have tied the 1985 Greenville softball team's record with 35 wins in a season, play Belhaven tomorrow at 11 a.m. in the winner's bracket.