Holy Names scored the game's only run in the top of the seventh to defeat host Simpson, 1-0, to grab the advantage after the first day of the NAIA qualifier in Redding.

HNU (26-20), the Cal Pac runner-up, eliminated the University of Great Falls (16-15) from the competition with a 6-3 victory in game two of the three-game opening action.

Simpson (35-18), the conference regular season winner, opened the qualifier action with an 8-7 win over UGF, rallying for seven runs in the bottom of the seventh to avoid the upset.

Simpson and HNU meet again on Saturday at 2:00 p.m., with the host Red Hawks needing a two victories to advance to the NAIA nationals.

Holy Names, which has now won two of the last three meetings between the two teams in Redding this season, is just one victory away from a return trip to the nationals.