Sixth-seeded St. Joseph scored three times in the bottom of the ninth inning to beat No. 7 Norwich, 3-2, in the preliminary round of the GNAC softball playoffs.

The game, played in a steady cold rain, was a pitchers' dual between Saint Joseph College's Nicole Marcelynas and Norwich's Katelyn Menard. The game was scoreless through eight innings when NU broke through with two runs scored on successive wild pitches by Marcelynas.

SJC's Michelle Lynch delivered the game-tying hit with a double that drove in two. Lynch advanced to third on a wild pitch and scored on Katie Gaudiosi's single. Menard took the loss, delivering four strikeouts during nine innings of work, while winning pitcher Marcelynas struck out five while scattering only six hits.

The Blue Jays improve to 17-12 overall and move on to play Pine Manor College in the double elimination phase of the GNAC tournament on Friday at Western New England College.

Norwich goes to 15-16 overall and will play a non-conference doubleheader at home against Middlebury on Tuesday, May 1, at 3 p.m.