Photo Credited to Niko Klementzos - Berry College
Chattanooga, Tenn. - Playing in their first-ever NCAA Division II Softball World Series game on Thursday, St. Thomas Aquinas College did not look like a team making its inaugural appearance on the biggest stage of the program's 47-year history. The battle-tested Spartans showed everyone why they are among the final eight teams still competing, with every at-bat, pitch thrown and defensive play made against top seeded Saint Leo University inside of Frost Stadium at Warner Park.
Down 4-0 to the Lions in the seventh inning, Alyssa Haberstroh and Yazmine Garcia tried to rally back the Spartans. Haberstroh reached on a two-out single for her third hit of the game, followed by Garcia's two-run shot to left field to cut the deficit in half. However, Saint Leo was able to get the final out before any further damage was done to take the contest 4-2.
The postseason loss sees STAC's NCAA-best 23-game winning streak come to an end, with the maroon and gold falling to 38-13 on the year. Meanwhile, Saint Leo improves to 50-3-1.
Saint Leo 4-2
Saint Leo used timely power hitting and a complete-game performance from Tierney Hocquard to defeat St. Thomas Aquinas, 4–2, on Thursday.
Lions Strike First in Pitchers' Duel
Both teams were held scoreless through the opening inning before Saint Leo broke through in the second.
After Alex Wright reached on a double down the right field line, Hailey Beuerlein launched a two-run homer to center field, just off the outstretched glove of Jordan Gautier, to give the Lions an early 2–0 advantage.
St. Thomas Aquinas threatened at times throughout the middle innings, but Hocquard kept the Spartans off the scoreboard while working around scattered hits from Elyse Marcano and Alyssa Haberstroh.
Lauren Falk matched zeros for much of the afternoon after the early homer, helping keep STAC within striking distance entering the late innings.
Saint Leo Adds Insurance
The Lions added critical insurance runs in the sixth inning.
Hailey Beuerlein, who reached via a walk, and Briana Neal on a fielder's choice both came around to score moments later when Alexis Barber drilled a two-run double to center field, extending the Saint Leo lead to 4–0.
The Spartans entered the seventh needing a late rally and finally broke through against Hocquard.
Garcia's Blast Sparks Late Push
Alyssa Haberstroh opened the inning with her third hit of the afternoon before Yazmine Garcia crushed a two-run homer to left field, cutting the deficit in half at 4–2.
However, Hocquard regrouped and retired the next hitters to secure the complete-game victory for Saint Leo.
Falk Battles in Complete-Game Effort
Lauren Falk went the distance for St. Thomas Aquinas, allowing four earned runs on eight hits across six innings while striking out six.
The right-hander settled in after the second inning and kept the Spartans within reach throughout the game despite taking the loss.
Key Performers
St. Thomas Aquinas
- Alyssa Haberstroh: 3-for-3, 2B, R
- Yazmine Garcia: 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, R
- Elyse Marcano: 1-for-3
- Lauren Falk: 6.0 IP, 8 H, 4 ER, 2 BB, 6 K
Saint Leo
- Hailey Beuerlein: 1-for-2, HR, 2 RBI, R, BB
- Alexis Barber: 1-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
- Sydney Cline: 2-for-3, 2B, BB
- Alex Wright: 1-for-3, 2B, R
- Tierney Hocquard: 7.0 IP, 5 H, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K
Up Next
St. Thomas Aquinas (38-13) faces No. 5 West Texas A&M (52-9) in a win or go home matchup on Saturday (May 30) at 11:00 a.m.
2026 NCAA Division II Softball Championship -- World Series (May 28-June 3)
at Frost Stadium at Warner Park - Chattanooga, Tennessee
Thursday, May 28
Game 1: No. 1 Saint Leo 4 vs. No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas 2
Game 2: No. 4 Cal State San Marcos 5 vs. No. 5 West Texas A&M 4
Game 3: No. 2 Missouri Southern State 5 vs. No. 7 Glenville State 3
Game 4: No. 3 North Georgia 0 vs. No. 6 McKendree 1
Friday, May 29
Game 5: No. 1 Saint Leo vs. No. 4 Cal State San Marcos - 12:00 p.m.
Game 6: No. 2 Missouri Southern State vs. No. 6 McKendree - 2:30 p.m.
Saturday, May 30
Game 7: No. 8 St. Thomas Aquinas vs. No. 5 West Texas A&M - 11:00 a.m.
Game 8: No. 7 Glenville State vs. No. 3 North Georgia - 1:30 p.m.
Game 9: Loser of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 7 - 4:00 p.m.
Game 10: Loser of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 8 - 6:30 p.m.
Sunday, May 31
Game 11: Winner of Game 5 vs. Winner of Game 9 - 11:00 a.m.
Game 12: Winner of Game 6 vs. Winner of Game 10 - 1:30 p.m.
Game 13 (If Necessary) - 4:00 p.m.
Game 14 (If Necessary) - 6:30 p.m.
Tuesday, June 1
Finals (Best of Three Series: Game One) - 6:00 p.m.
Wednesday, June 3
Finals (Best of Three Series: Game Two) - 3:00 p.m.
Finals (Best of Three Series: Game Three - If Necessary) - 5:30 p.m.
All Games Broadcast on NCAA.com.