MARSHALL, Texas - Hannah Gore pitched seven shutout innings and Shelby Daniel had two hits, a run scored, and an RBI as No. 5-seeded Berry topped No. 4-seeded Christopher Newport, 3-0, to win its opening game at the 2023 NCAA D-III Softball Championship here at Bell Park at Taylor Field.

"I'm just excited to come out [with a win]," said Berry head coach Jessica Strong. "We were playing a familiar foe so I think that allowed us to be a little more comfortable with our approach. Luckily, we were able to make some adjustments along the way. We played some stellar defense behind Hannah in the circle, and we were fortunate to come out with a win today."

Daniel got the Berry offense going in the third with a one-out infield hit. Aleeya Thornton's chopper towards the third base side of the circle was mishandled, allowing the Vikings to get two runners on with one out. Morgan Frye then laid down a perfect bunt single, loading the bases for Katie White. White would beat out a grounder to second for a base hit, scoring Daniel and staking the Vikings to a 1-0 lead.

Gore would dance out of trouble throughout the game, never more so than in the fifth. CNU (32-12) would get two runners in scoring position with one out. The Captains would try a bunt, hoping that the safety squeeze would either lead to the tying run or load the bases. Instead, the bunt floated back toward Gore, who caught the attempt for the second out. After a walk loaded the bases, Gore would get a pop out to end the threat and keep the lead intact.

After CNU's threat in the fifth, the Vikings (42-5) capitalized in the sixth. Anna Jackson laced a double inside the bag at third before giving way to pinch runner Grace Hamilton. Lauren Cothern's sacrifice bunt moved Hamilton up a base, then a walk to Paige Bennett put runners on the corners. After Sydney Moroney's scorcher was caught at third for the second out, Katie Parker battled to draw a walk and load the bases. That would set the stage for a big hit from Daniel.

"In the last few games, I've come up in similar situations and haven't come through for my team," said Daniel. "I knew Hannah was pitching a great game and we were all out there battling for her. I just had to remind myself that the moment isn't bigger than myself and to just trust in what I do and my abilities. I knew [CNU's pitcher] was pitching a good game and the first pitch was going to be my best option."

The junior First Team All-Southern Athletic Association honoree would lace a single into right, plating Hamilton to make it 2-0. With a bit of the pressure off, Thornton stepped to the plate looking to try to keep the momentum going. The senior from Lithonia, Ga., would draw a walk to the disgust of the CNU dugout, giving the Vikings what proved to be an insurmountable lead.

The lead stayed in place thanks to Gore. The sophomore Third Team NFCA All-American walked the first batter of the sixth but then retired the final six Captains in order. As CNU's final swing fell into the glove of Thornton in center, the Vikings celebrated a 3-0 win to start the week.

Berry will have a winner's bracket contest tomorrow against No. 8-seed Moravian. First pitch is set for 4 p.m. CDT.