DENVER, Colo.--- After four games played, four teams continue their goal towards victory in the  Division II World Series and four teams head to the elimination bracket. 

Reigning champions Augustana dominate right from the start

No.1 seed Augustana (SD) took down No.8 seed Valdosta State 10-1 on Thursday. The Division II World Series began with a powerful performance from the reigning champions despite Valdosta putting points on the board first. After going 1-0 after its half of the first, Valdosta could not mirror the success at bat from Augustana and continued to suffer. The Vikings depended on long hits and big runs all game. Nationally ranked Augustana sent the Blazers home with a walk off homerun in six innings. 

A pitcher’s duel 

The game between No.4 North Georgia and No.5 Biola was a much different game than the first. The classic tale of a pitcher’s duel was on full display between these evenly ranked teams but the scoreboard could only read zero for so long. The battle between pitcher’s came to an end and ultimately became the difference between a team advancing, and a team going home. In the top of the fifth, Biola’s Madison Blossey singled and started a trend for her team to follow. After Brie Nowak singled to left field, two runs home put the Eagles on the board. In that same inning, Biola was able to grab two more runs. North Georgia struggled as the Eagles with a 4-0 shutout. 

Saint Anselm wins on a walk off 

No.2 Saint Anselm barely snuck by No.7 West Chester University of Pennsylvania with a 3-2 victory on Thursday afternoon, however the win came in celebratory fashion. Senior Abbie Murrell drove in Kylie Fitzpatrick with a game winning hit in the bottom of the seventh inning. The Hawks face West Texas A&M on Friday, advancing to 33-5 on the season after Thursday's victory. 

The six seed takes down the three seed to finish day one 

Day one of play ended with an evening game between No.3 Grand Valley State and No.6 West Texas A&M. After a 1-0 victory for West Texas, some might say the day ended with an upset as No.3 Grand Valley were sent to play in the elimination bracket. After two scoreless innings, Hailey Neria came home on a single to third base from Ruby Salzman, scoring the only run of the game. The Lady Buffs will face Saint Anselm at 3:30 p.m. on Friday.