St. Mary's (Minnesota) scored all the runs it needed in the top of the first inning against Chapman and went on to win its first Division III Softball Championship, 5-0, May 21 in Salem, Virginia.

Ann Munzenmaier opened the game with a lead-off single to center and came home on a two-out homer by freshman Jackie Huegel for a quick 2-0 edge.

"We knew we had to come out of the gates, score some runs and take away some of their steam," said John Tschida, St. Mary's head coach. "By putting some runs on the board, we were able to make that hill Chapman had to climb steeper. They are a great team, and we weren't sure five runs was going to be enough."

Behind the pitching of Teisha Smith, five runs were plenty. The Panthers had just two runners in scoring position in the game and stroked just four hits. Smith struck out two and benefited from 13 ground outs.

"I've got to hit my spots to be successful," Smith said. "I know I am not going to strike many opposing batters out. I try to get them to hit it right at people, and I am confident we have a great defense and they can get the job done."

The Cardinals added three runs in the top of the sixth. St. Mary's loaded the bases with no outs and Gina Rizzardi singled to left to score Jill Hocking. Jennifer Miller later doubled in the final two runs.

St. Mary's, which finished 40-6, was undefeated in the championship series and advanced to the title game with a win over Chapman. The Panthers, who finished 39-11, advanced through the loser's bracket by defeating Alma, 3-1, earlier in the day of the championship game. It is the second straight year and the third time in four years that Chapman has finished second.

Smith, Huegel, Jennifer Miller, Jennifer Meyer and Laura Miller were named to the all-tournament team from St. Mary's. Heather Peters, Amie Barnes, Dawn Lopez, Leslie Prochaska and Tiffany Hoskins were honored for Chapman. Alma's Jackie Cowan, Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Sarah Weinke and Heidi Bergstrom, Roanoke's Amy Layman and College of New Jersey's Krissy Medino also were named to the team.

Game No. 1

Jodie Moreau, Rachel Brecher (3) and Lis Drake; Tiffany Hoskins and Molly Beckett. W -- Hoskins. L -- Moreau.

Game No. 2

Amy Layman and Marcie Poff; Becky Pierce and Kathryn Nordin. W -- Layman. L -- Pierce.

Game No. 3

Mandy Schenck and Jennifer Kichula; Heidi Bergstrom and Lisa Schueler. W -- Schenck. L -- Bergstrom.

Game No. 4

Robin Bimson, Jennifer Ruhe (6) and Kristin Furdon; Teisha Smith and Jennifer Miller. W -- Smith. L -- Bimson.

Game No. 5

Becky Pierce and Kathryn Nordin; Jodie Moreau and Lis Drake. W -- Pierce. L -- Moreau.

Game No. 6

Heidi Bergstrom and Lisa Schueler; Robin Bimson and Kristin Furdon. W -- Bergstrom. L -- Bimson.

Game No. 7

Linsey Buendia and Molly Beckett; Amy Layman, Meaghan Cookston (3), Suzanne Maddox (7) and Marcie Poff. W -- Buendia. L -- Layman.

Game No. 8

Teisha Smith, Becky Limberg (6), Jill Hocking (6) and Jennifer Miller; Mandy Schenck, Vickie Prevete (5) and Jennifer Kichula. W -- Smith. L -- Schenck.

Game No. 9

Amy Layman and Marcie Poff; Heidi Bergstrom and Lisa Schueler. W -- Bergstrom. L -- Layman.

Game No. 10

Becky Pierce and Kathryn Nordin; Mandy Schenck, Vickie Prevete (6) and Jennifer Kichula. W -- Pierce. L -- Prevete.

Game No. 11

Linsey Buendia, Katie Smithson (4) and Molly Beckett; Teisha Smith and Jennifer Miller. W -- Smith. L -- Buendia.

Game No. 12

Jackie Cowan and Elizabeth Knochel; Heidi Bergstrom and Lisa Schueler. W -- Cowan. L -- Bergstrom.

Game No. 13

Becky Pierce and Kathryn Nordin; Tiffany Hoskins and Molly Beckett. W -- Hoskins. L -- Pierce.

Championship game

E -- Peters; Cronin. LOB -- St. Mary's (Minn.) 4; Chapman 4; 2B -- J. Miller. HR -- Huegel. SB -- Meyer. SH -- Huegel.

W -- Smith (17-5). L -- Smithson (4-3). Umpires: Julie Johnson, Greg Schmidt, Denny Mader. Time: 1:35. Attendance: 354.