HUNTSVILLE -- Brandi Crnkovic, who earned Tournament Most Valuable Player honors, limited Texas State-San Marcos to three hits in a 1-0 shutout as Sam Houston State earned its first NCAA Division I tournament berth by winning the Southland Conference softball tournament Saturday.

Tanya Hooser hit an RBI single to score pinch runner Tiffani Woodrum in the second inning for the winning run.

Sam Houston State (37-24) defeated No. 1 seed Texas-Arlington 1-0 in the tournament semifinal earlier Saturday. Crnkovic also was the winning pitcher in the Mavericks game, throwing a three-hit shut out with 11 strike outs.