HARDEEVILLE - Kristy Cook outdueled Haley Nixon and Shelby Zipperer knocked in the only run of the game as host USCB edged Indiana Wesleyan 1-0 in the first game of the NAIA Softball National Championship Opening Round on Monday at Richard Gray Sports Complex.

Cook (25-4) scattered eight hits and struck out six in a complete-game shutout, getting help from a pair of double plays. Nixon (21-7) also pitched well, limiting the Sand Sharks to four hits and a walk in a six-inning complete game. 

USCB (41-12) pushed across the only run of the contest in the third inning, when Missy Hughes doubled down the left-field line with one out and scored on Zipperer's two-out RBI single through the left-side. 

Allison Bexell and Emily Hastings had two hits apiece for the Wildcats.

USCB (41-12) will play the Campbellsville-Rio Grande winner in the championship bracket at 11 a.m. Tuesday, while Indiana Wesleyan (47-11) will face the Campbellsville-Rio Grande loser in an elimination game at 2 p.m.