CLINTON, Miss. - Nicky Simpson tossed a one-hitter Wednesday as the Kirkwood Eagles trimmed Mercyhurst North East, 3-2, in the opening round of the NJCAA Division II national softball tournament in Clinton, Miss.

Kirkwood (45-8) will face Johnson County Community College in the quarterfinals of the winners bracket Thursday afternoon.

Simpson (20-5) took a shutout into the seventh inning. Mercyhurst scored both of its runs on a dropped fly ball.

Chasney Jenkins drove in two runs for the Eagles, who are seeded No. 3 in the 16-team tournament. Erin Weno collected an RBI. Jasmine Ragusi had a double.

DMACC blanked Surry, 5-0, in the opening round. Johnson County trimmed Illinois Central, 3-1.

The double-elimination tournament continues through Saturday.

OPENING ROUND

Phoenix 9, Potomac State 2
Kankakee 5, Labette 0
East Central 3, Macomb 2
DMACC 5, Surry 0
Kirkwood 3, Mercyhurst North East 2
Johnson County 3, Illinois Central 1
Lincoln Land 8, Sauk Valley 0
Mississippi Gulf Coast 7, Owens 0