BOX SCORE

IRONDALE, Ala. - Junior Brittanie Gardner pitched the biggest game of her career as she shutout Alabama A&M 1-0 to remain alive in the 2012 SWAC Softball Tournament at the Shea Brothers Softball Complex.

The Lady Panthers knocked on the door several times with runners in scoring position as the game began but came up short as the game remained scoreless until the fourth. In the fourth, freshman Kiera Bridges drew a one out walk and advanced to third on a double from Olivia Pace. Cally Falls followed with a single but Bridges was thrown out at home on the play. With runners on second and third and two outs, sophomore Katelyn Den Beste hit an RBI single up the middle to score Pace for the 1-0 lead.

PV came up with its best defensive performance of the season in the sixth as first baseman Lauren Grun came up from first to tag out AAMU's Raven Grubbs on a steal attempt at home plate. Nicole Norton hit into a fielder's choice on the ensuing at-bat but the PV defense responded as she was caught in a rundown at home plate.

From that point, it was all Gardner as the Salina, Kansas native held AAMU at bay to keep the Lady Panthers' SWAC Championship hopes alive.

It was a team effort as seven Lady Panthers recorded hits. Gardner went the distance as she allowed five hits en route to her fourth win of the year.

PV won't have time to rest on its laurels as No. 1 seeded Mississippi Valley awaits them at 4 p.m. For PV to advance to the title game on Sunday, they'll need to beat MVSU twice.