Crystal Cassario pitched a four-hit shutout and delivered a game-ending three-run double Monday afternoon as No. 1 Penn State Brandywine’s softball team captured its eighth consecutive Penn State University Athletic Conference championship by defeating third-seeded Penn State New Kensington 8-0 in five innings.

In NCAA Division I softball, a run-rule states that the game can be called if there is an 8-run difference after 5 innings.

Brandywine, which earned the conference’s automatic bid to the United States Collegiate Athletic Association Small College World Series, won all three of its PSUAC Tournament games via run-rule, 8-0 triumph.

The game was closely contested entering the bottom of the fifth before Brandywine put the game away with five two-out runs. 

Lianna DeDios reached first via an error. Lexi Bussenger walked and Jess James singled to load the bases with no outs.

Three batters later, Karly Rees hit a single to center field, with two runners scoring.

A walk re-loaded the bases for Cassario, who lined a double into the left field corner, clearing the bases and setting off the Brandywine celebration.

Cassario recorded her second shutout of the PSUAC Tournament and fifth overall this season, earning her ninth win of the spring.

Brandywine is the first PSUAC team to win eight-straight championships in any sport since Penn College claimed nine consecutive men’s cross country titles from 2004-12.

It began its USCAA World Series run Monday night in DuBois.

Find out more about the Penn State Brandywine softball team.