MEDFORD, MA (May 15, 2026) -- The normally potent offensive unit for the Tufts University softball team was held in check Friday afternoon, as the three runs in the first inning by Muhlenberg College was enough in a 3-1 win over the Jumbos in the NCAA Division III Regional winner's bracket game on Spicer Field. 

With the victory, Muhlenberg (33-11) moved into the NCAA Regional Final while the Jumbos fall into the loser's bracket, where it will square off with Middlebury College Saturday at 11 a.m. in an elimination game. 

Muhlenberg got on the board in the opening stanza, as the Mules' Hailey Godin singled to left and a throwing error by the Jumbos allowed Ava Storlazzi to come around for the game's first run. Lillie Teague would triple in a run in the next at-bat for Muhlenberg, and another error allowed her to come around and score to make it 3-0 after the first stanza. 

That would be all that the Mules would get though, as first-year Sarah Brody entered in relief and shut down the Mules' bats from that point on. The Jumbos would threaten in numorous innings, as the Jumbos had runners at the corner in the fourth inning with one out but weren't able to push across a run. 

Tufts finally got on the board in the fifth inning, as Paige Murphy's third hit of the game drove in Ella Malin to make it 3-1. The Jumbos had second and third with two outs with a chance to tie the game, but the inning came to an end on a flyout. 

The Jumbos though would get no closer, as Muhlenberg pitcher Josie Krieman retired the final six hitters for Tufts to finish her complete game gem. 

Murphy was a perfect 3-for-3 with the team's lone extra-base hit Friday, while Haley Leimbach and Heaven Oliva each had singles for Tufts. Brody came in to toss four scoreless innings of relief, striking out three and allowing just one hit. 

Kreiman improved to 5-2 on the season as she scattered five hits, allowing no earned runs while punching ouf four. Sofia Gallahue was 2-for-3, while Skyla Campisi had a double in the win. 

Tufts swept Middlebury College during the regular season back on April 18, and will now play the Panthers to keep its season alive Saturday. The winner of the Middlebury and Tufts game will play Saturday at 1:30 PM against Muhlenberg. If Muhlenberg wins that game, the Mules advance to the NCAA Super Regionals, while if the "if necessary" contest is needed then it will be Sunday at 1 p.m.