PHILADELPHIA, Pa. – Eastern University Softball rode an outstanding pitching performance from Danika Barthol to a  5-1 win over the York College Spartans and the program's first conference title. Barthol's struck out eight and did not allow a hit on her way Tournament MVP honors.

Barthol's first collegiate no-hitter came in challenging circumstances. The first-year from Emmaus, Pa. had to wait out a nearly two and a half hour weather delay in the middle of the fourth inning to put together a seven-inning no-hitter. With York scoring a run in the second inning on a walk, a pair of stolen bases and a throwing error, the no-hitter was not top of mind through the delay.

She returned to the circle to retire York third-baseman Alexis McDonaugh to end the fourth, and then struck out all three York hitters in the fifth. With a steady drizzle threatening to worsen, Barthol struck out the first hitter in the sixth and then got five fly-ball outs to end the game. When Ainsley O'Donnell made a nice running catch on a long foul ball by York catcher Daphney Adams, a no-hitter seemed possible, but she still needed to work through Emma Wade, the leading hitter in the MAC Commonwealth. She got a pop-up from Wade and Mackenzie Laub put the squeeze on a fly ball from McDonaugh to end it.

For the weekend, Barthol allowed no earned runs and only six hits in 20 innings. Her league-leading era for the year dropped to .5 as she picked up her 16th win of the season.

Barthol was not the only hero for the Eagles. After the Spartans took the lead in the second, Sydney Ostolaza answered with a towering shot that easily cleared the 220 sign on the ten-foot fence in center field. The solo shot was her second of the tournament and team-best seventh of the year.

The Eagles took the lead with four runs on six hits in the bottom of the third. Kelci Cost, who graduated in the morning, singled to start the rally. Elena Iannuzelli laid down a bunt on the moistening dirt and made it to first without a throw. Alyssa Binczak nearly hit Cost with a single to center that loaded the bases.

Laub rolled a ball to a perfect spot on the right side to drive in one and put the Eagles up. Tori Hook then welcomed a new pitcher to the game with a ball to the fence in left center that cleared the bases.

The Eagles (30-6) put runners on each of their final three at bats, but with Barthol in control, they did not need any more offense.

The Spartans reached the Championship game after a grueling set of games on Friday. They emerged from a 14-inning marathon against Alvernia with a 2-1 win in the first elimination game. After a short break, they emerged from the second elimination game with a 5-3 win over Messiah. The second-seeded Falcons had runners in scoring position in six of their seven innings.

The Eagles win the title with a 30-6 mark five years after finishing 6-30. Head Coach Terri Adams took over the program but had a COVID-shortened season in 2020. The program has increased its win total in each of the seasons since Adams took over.

"This was incredible," Adams said. "I can't believe we did it. I am so grateful for everyone who helped us get this tournament in. The people at Penn were great in getting the field back in playing condition. The players did a great job staying focused through the delay."

With the win, the Eagles earn the MAC Commonwealth's Automatic bid to the NCAA Tournament. They will, however, need to wait a week to find out who and where for their opening games. Selection happens next weekend.