Salem, Va. - Four-time first team All-American Kristin Erb struck out seven batters and allowed just four hits and Sarah Norris went 4-for-4 with two runs scored to lead #2-nationally ranked Lock Haven to a 5-0 win over the #12-ranked Le Moyne College softball team on Thursday night in the first round of the 2009 NCAA Division II Softball Championships at the Moyer Complex.

The Lady Eagles, who won the 2006 National Championship at the Moyer Complex, opened the scoring in the first inning with a run on two hits. Norris singled through the left side to start the frame. Following a sac bunt by Erb, Ilia Lopez singled to right field to knock in Norris.

Lock Haven, the Atlantic Regional champion, followed with single runs in each of the next four innings. Amanda Gutmaker walked on four pitches to lead off the second and moved to second on a sac bunt. Nancy O'Connor then doubled to center field to drive in Gutmaker. After a pop out and a single by Norris, senior Jennifer Farrelly (Latham, N.Y./Shaker) entered the pitcher's circle for sophomore starter Jenna Vanacore (Hicksville, N.Y./Holy Trinity). Farrelly closed out the inning with a strikeout of Erb.

In the third, Lopez singled to center to begin the frame and moved into scoring position on a sac bunt. Following a fly out, Gutmaker singled to right center to plate Lopez from second. Norris gave her team a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning on a two-out solo home run to center field. The Lady Eagles closed out the scoring in the fifth inning with one run on a hit and an error. Gutmaker drew a two-out walk and then stole second base. Brittany Muthard followed with a single to center field to score Gutmaker.

Erb, the all-time wins leader in Division II softball with 164, held the Dolphins without a hit for the first three and two-thirds innings before Farrelly singled through the left side. With the shutout, Erb posted her 97th career shutout to tie the NCAA record set by Cal. State Northridge's Kathy Slaten from 1983-86.

Vanacore, named a Daktronics Third Team All-American earlier in the day, took the loss in the circle for the Dolphins, just her fourth of the season, after allowing two runs on four hits over one and two-thirds innings. Farrelly, an Honorable Mention Daktronics All-American, yielded three runs on six hits over the final four and one-third innings.

Le Moyne (45-12), which is making its fifth appearance in the NCAA Championships in the last eight years, returns to action on Saturday at 2:00 p.m. against Winona State in an elimination game.