ANGOLA, Ind. - The Trine University softball team ran their winning streak to 13 games as they swept MIAA foe Calvin College 6-4 and 13-4 in five innings as they celebrated their four seniors on Senior Day. The fifth ranked Thunder now stand at 29-3 on the season and 12-0 in the conference.
The Thunder fell behind early on in game one as Calvin jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on a pair of doubles.
In the third, Trine would plate four runs in the inning, but on just one hit as the Knights would commit three errors. Trine would score a run on a bases loaded error by the Calvin shortstop. Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) would score her sister Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) on a sacrifice fly, then freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) would also score on the play when the throw by the right fielder sailed over the catchers head.
Trine would score the eventual game-winner in the sixth. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) would draw a four-pitch leadoff walk. Pinch runner junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) would advance to second on a sacrifice bunt and then to third on a fielder’s choice. Junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) singled through the left side to score Craig. Searles then doubled home sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover).
Calvin would plate two runs in the top of the seventh, both with one out before Gasco was able to retire the final two batters to end the rally.
Gasco earned her 15th win of the season allowing seven hits and one earned run while striking out seven.
It was a different story in game two as the Thunder jumped all over the Knights from the start as Trine would plate a pair of run in the top of the first. After a leadoff single by Searles, she would steal second. Clark would then drive her in on a double to the left center gap. Two outs later, senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) drove in Clark on a single to left.
In the second, the Thunder would add three runs on just one hit. A one-out walk to Rachel Harris was followed by a Calvin error on a grounder by Daniels. Searles would then triple to the left center gap to score both Harris and Daniels. Searles would then come home to score on a groundout by Clark.
Calvin would try to make things interesting as they plated three runs in the bottom of the third on a three-run home run.
The Thunder would answer back with three runs of their own in the fourth. With one out, Searles tripled to left center, scoring Daniels and Searles would score when the relay throw from the Calvin shortstop sailed to the backstop. Clark followed by reaching on another Calvin error. One out later it would be Gasco with the triple to right center, scoring Clark.
The Thunder would close out their scoring in the fifth as they plated five runs, three of which came off a homer. After a leadoff single by senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson), Rachel Harris would walk. Daniels then doubled to left scoring Belote. Searles would follow with an infield single to score Harris. One out later it would be sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) launching her third homer of the season, a blast that dented the scoreboard in right center.
Calvin would have an answer in the bottom of the fifth as pinch hitter Megan Rozeveld hit a home run to start the inning. The Knights would get a pair of runners on that would have delayed the 8-run mercy rule, but sophomore pitcher Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) was able to escape the jam and retired the final two batters.
Fuller earned her 11th victory on the season despite allowing a season-high four earned runs on seven hits. Fuller finished the day with six strikeouts while surrendering just one walk, which came in the seventh.
Searles had an outstanding day going 6-for-7, including a 4-for-4 game two, to go along with a team-best five runs and five RBIs. Searles also stole two bases on the day. Daniels recorded three hits on the day and scored four runs while driving in two. Lauren Harris, Gasco and Clark each had a pair of hits on the day. Clark would also drive in three runs and score three times. Newell added three RBIs on the afternoon while Rachel Harris scored three runs after drawing five walks on the day.
With two triples on the day, Searles set a new Trine career record with 18 in just two seasons. The previous mark of 17 was one of the oldest in the Thunder record book held by Candy Aplin from 1986-1989.
Trine also tied two records in the game. With her two hits, Gasco tied the career record of 179. Also, with the two stolen bases, Searles tied the single-season record of 30.
Trine will look to clinch at least a share of the conference title when they host Albion on April 22 for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader.
