Courtesy Rhode Island College Sports Information

PROVIDENCE, R.I.—St. Joseph’s College senior starting pitcher Jennifer Martinez (Bay Shore, N.Y.) struck out the game’s third batter to become the all-time NCAA Div. III softball career strikeout leader, breaking the previous mark of 1,125, and scored what proved to be the game-winning run in the top of the eighth inning to lead the third-seeded Golden Eagles past second-seeded Tufts, 3-0, in game seven of the 2008 NCAA Div. III New England Regional Softball Tournament, hosted by Rhode Island College at the Dayna A. Bazar Softball Complex.

She kept the Jumbos scoreless for eight innings, allowing just one hit, while logging 15 strikeouts to earn her 30th win (30-2). She has hurled 15 innings of scoreless softball, allowed just two infield bunt singles and struck out 36 batters at the tournament.

St. Joseph’s (32-6) will advance to face top-seeded Rhode Island College this afternoon at 2 p.m. The Jumbos (29-10) will play an elimination game with the winner of Rivier vs. Wellesley (game eight) at 4 p.m.

Martinez led off the top of the eighth with a single to left field. Senior second baseman Michelle Nardella (Islip Terrace, N.Y.) laid down a sacrifice bunt to Tufts freshman starting pitcher Izzie Santone (Madison, Conn.), but Martinez beat the throw at second. Senior left fielder Kaitlin Schamberger (Levittown, N.Y.) singled to left field to bring in Martinez and freshman right fielder Erica Stark (Middle Island, N.Y.) came through with a two-out, two-run single for some insurance runs.

The Jumbos threatened in the fourth as junior left fielder Roni Herbst (Montclair, N.J.) reached on an error to start the frame, stole second and third, but Martinez struck out the next three batters to get out of the jam. Tufts also put two aboard in the bottom of the eighth, but Martinez notched a strikeout and got two ground outs to end the contest.

Santone took the loss (8-3), allowing three runs on six hits and logged seven strikeouts.