Alma gave two-time defending national champion Tufts, Mass. all it could handle Thursday in its NCAA Division III softball finals opener, but a costly error led to three unearned runs as the unbeaten Jumbos defeated the Scots, 3-0, in Salem, Va.

The loss knocks the Scots (30-16) into an elimination bracket matchup on Friday against DePauw, Ind. (35-15). First pitch is 1:30 p.m.

The Scots threatened early against Tufts' All-American pitcher, Allyson Fournier, who entered the game with a 0.12 earned run average and five no-hitters this season. With two out in the first, Devan Olah singled and Lea Lusk doubled to put runners at second and third. However, Fournier struck out Mary Brooks to end the threat.

Alma's Morgan Stratton continued her strong pitching against the Jumbos (47-0), allowing only five hits, striking out 12 and walking one. The only damage against Stratton came in the third, when an Alma error allowed the leadoff batter to reach. After a sacrifice bunt, a double knocked in the game's first run, and a ground out and RBI single added to the Tufts lead.

After that, Stratton shut down the Tufts bats, getting her last eight outs via strikeout. She has now allowed only one earned run in 42 innings for the NCAA tournament.

Alma managed five hits, with Lusk leading the way with a 2-for-3 night at the plate. She singled to lead off the seventh, but Fournier set down the next three batters to finish off the game. Fournier matched Stratton with 12 strikeouts of her own.

An Alma win Friday would advance the Scots to a Saturday contest against the loser of Friday's Tufts-Salisbury, Md. game.