Brenau University’s Kathleen “Eli” Daniel set a national single-season record with 552 strikeouts as the Golden Tigers softball team defeated Edward Waters College 5-0 in the first round of the NAIA softball World Series on Monday in Alexandria, Louisiana.

The freshman struck out 13 of the 15 batters she faced, bypassing the previous high mark of 540 strikeouts set by Oklahoma City University’s Lily LaVelle in 2012.

“Eli is a tremendous young woman, an excellent member of the college community and a great representative of Brenau University — not to mention that she is a once in a lifetime athlete,” Brenau President Ed Schrader said in a university news release.

Second-ranked Brenau (52-5) produced three run-scoring hits to support Daniel’s gem, while sophomore pitcher Jessica Rathje threw two shutouts innings in relief. Courtney Kenney recorded two RBIs, Mackenzie Oliver drove in another run and the Golden Tigers rounded out their scoring thanks to an error and a passed ball.

No. 1 seed Brenau will face host and No. 2 seed LSU-Alexandria at 5 p.m. today. The 12th-ranked Generals (46-8) beat No. 25 Science & Arts 7-0 on Monday.

Brenau and LSU-Alexandria squared off once in the regular season, with the Golden Tigers claiming a 4-2 win March 4 at a neutral-site tournament in Gulf Shores, Alabama.