COLUMBUS, Ga. - [Watch On-Demand] Indiana Wesleyan used a two-run third inning and a late insurance run to defeat Southern Oregon University 3-1 to extend their stay at the NAIA Softball World Series and knock off the defending national champions.

After two scoreless innings, Indiana Wesleyan broke through in the top of the third. Sara Ruble sparked the rally by reaching base and later scoring on a sacrifice fly to center field from Morgan Yeater, giving the Wildcats a 1-0 lead. Moments later, Maddie Martin delivered the biggest hit of the inning, driving a double into left-center field to score Danica Fuller and extend the advantage to 2-0.

Southern Oregon answered in the fourth inning, but only partially erased the deficit. With runners aboard, Kalea Thomas singled to first base to score Brianna McCoy. The run was unearned and cut the margin to 2-1, but it would prove to be the Raiders’ only run of the game.

Indiana Wesleyan added an important insurance run in the seventh inning. Pinch runner Emma Wiberg came around to score when Ruble lined an RBI single to center field, restoring a two-run cushion and giving the Wildcats a 3-1 lead heading into the final half inning.

Pitching and defense proved to be the difference throughout the contest. Avery Toole threw a complete game for the Wildcats, allowing six hits and one unearned run while striking out seven without issuing a walk. Toole needed 105 pitches, including 77 strikes, to secure the victory.

Southern Oregon pitcher Ayla Davies also went the distance, surrendering three runs on five hits with two walks and two strikeouts. Although the Raiders recorded six hits, they could not capitalize consistently and stranded eight runners on base.

Yeater paced Indiana Wesleyan offensively, finishing 2-for-2 with a double and two RBIs, while Ruble scored once and added the seventh-inning RBI single. Martin contributed the key RBI double in the third inning.

For Southern Oregon, Thomas recorded the team’s lone RBI, while Vanessa Lang highlighted the offense with a triple as part of the Raiders’ six-hit effort.

Indiana Wesleyan managed just five hits but made them count, combining timely offense with Toole’s dominant, walk-free complete game performance to secure the 3-1 victory.

Mobile (Ala.) and Our Lady of the Lake (Texas) will get Tuesday started at 10 a.m. ET followed by Southeastern (Fla.) and Madonna (Mich.) at noon ET, IWU vs. the winner of Mobile/Our Lady of the Lake at 2 p.m. ET.