PALM BEACH GARDENS, Fla. (Chowan Box, PBA Box) -- Indiana Wesleyan University began play on Thursday in the NCCAA National Championships in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. The tournament is a six-team double elimination format.

No. 6-seed Indiana Wesleyan upset No. 3-seed Chowan (N.C.) University 1-0 in the first game of the tournament but dropped their next game 2-0 to host and No. 2-seed Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.) University.

The Wildcats next play in an elimination game with No. 5-seed Mid-Continent (Ky.) University. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. on Friday, May 8.

Excellent pitching from Katie Hall allowed the Wildcats to win their first game over Chowan. Hall allowed just two hits in a complete game shutout. She walked two and struck out nine.

Indiana Wesleyan also struggled at the plate with only four hits in the contest. But the IWU bats came alive when needed most. There was no score in the game as Indiana Wesleyan batted in the bottom of the seventh. Leftfielder Allison Reichard led off the inning with a walk. Shortstop Morgan Wheeler was the next batter and promptly cracked a double to score Reichard from first base for the walk-off victory.

The final game on Thursday for Indiana Wesleyan was host Palm Beach Atlantic. Indiana Wesleyan ran into a buzz saw as the Wildcats were no-hit, including 15 strikeouts for the Sailfish pitcher.

Starting pitcher Abbie Forman pitched well for the Wildcats in surrendering two runs in six innings of work. She struck out four batters.

Indiana Wesleyan is now 33-19 on the season.