SALEM, VA—Jess Shnyder (Milton/Milton) hit a two-run homer and Amber Cowher (Williamsport/Williamsport) pitched a six-hit shutout to lead Bloomsburg University to a 4-0 win over Kennesaw State in the opening round of the NCAA Division III Softball championships in Salem, VA.

The Huskies advance to face St. Mary's of Texas, an 8-1 winner over LeMoyne, on Friday night at 6:30 p.m. in a winner's bracket game.

With the Huskies and the Lady Owls locked in a scoreless battle, Melanie Anderson started the bottom of the fifth inning with a ground out to short before Mylan Le hit a dribbler to first base side, which was misplayed by Kennesaw pitcher Lisa Macki. Shnyhder, hitting over .500 in the post-season, came to the plate and drilled a 1-0 pitch for a long, towering homer to left center field giving the Huskies a 2-0 lead. Amanda Breon then lined a hard single to center field but was erased on a fielder's choice by Liza Pepper. Then, with Steph Levonick up to bat, Pepper moved up to second on a passed ball. Levonick then made the Owls pay for the mistake by drilling a double to right center field scoring Pepper with the third run of the game. Lisa Mull then hit a hard single to left plating Levonick to make it 4-0.

Cowher, who has been terrific in the post-season, put down the side in the sixth inning before allowing two singles in the top of the seventh. However, the sophomore got Janna Maughon to ground out to first to end the game.

In four NCAA playoff games this year, Cowher is 4-0 with a 0.00 ERA in 24 2/3 innings.

Both teams wasted early scoring chances in the game after getting two runners on base in the second inning. The Owls threat ended with a foul pop, while the Huskies threat ended with a strikeout and a fielder's choice.

Bloomsburg goes to 43-6 3with the win. The Huskies have now beaten Kennesaw State three straight times dating back to last year.