DENTON, Texas -- St. Mary's ace Emily Brittain had Midwestern State's powerful lineup totally off-balance Friday night in the opening round of South Central Regional 1 play at Pioneer Field.
 
Fortunately for the Mustangs, they had the ultimate from of Rattler kryptonite as Laci Belovsky weaved her eighth shutout of the year to lead MSU to a 4-0 win.
 
"It's always good to start with a win," MSU coach Brady Tigert said. "It was a tight game and quite a battle for us. (Brittain) was very strong which led to our early struggles."
 
It was Belovsky's second blanking of the Rattlers, who fell to 43-14 on the season. The other game in an 8-0 no-hit, run-rule win back in March at the Courtyard by Marriott Invitational in Wichita Falls.
 
But Brittain handcuffed the Mustangs for six innings Friday night on three hits with just three balls leaving the infield on singles by Shelby Carter and Haley Howerton in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively.
 
"We didn't put together very many good ABs early and weren't doing what we were taught," Tigert said. "As the game progressed, we got more quality at bats. We felt comfortable with Katelyn (Vinson) at the plate (to lead off the seventh). She has been (producing) all season."
 
Once again, the frosh from Southlake served up just what the Mustangs needed at just the right time. Vinson drilled a 2-1 Brittain offering over the center field fence for her 22nd home run of the season to break the scoreless tie in the top of the seventh inning.
 
"Coach always says if it's in my zone to drive it," Vinson said. "I had to take it pitch-by-pitch and see each one of them at a time. Just breathe, relax and swing."
 
The swing ignited a rally as Kelley Schaefer and Shelby Carter reached on infield singles then Carey Campbell lined an RBI single to left field to give MSU a 2-0 advantage.
 
MSU junior Kim Jerrick drew a one-out walk before Haley Howerton reached on a fielder's choice to plate a third run of the inning. The Mustangs tacked on another unearned run to push the Mustangs' advantage to four runs.
 
Belovsky produced a final 1-2-3 frame to clinch her 27th win over the season. The Grangerland native allowed five hits and notched five strikeouts.
 
Carter and Campbell had two hits each to pace MSU's 7-hit attack.
 
Brittain took the loss for St. Mary's to fall to 26-5 on the season. She allowed four runs - three earned - on seven hits in 6 2/3 innings.
 
Midwestern State (43-15) battles Texas Woman's, a 2-1 winner over Incarnate Word in Friday's other first round matchup, in the winner's bracket final Saturday afternoon at Pioneer Field. First pitch is set for 2 p.m.