ANGOLA, Ind. -- The Trine softball team will once again face a challenging schedule as it embarks on its 2017 campaign.
The Thunder will face seven NCAA postseason participants from last season, including the national runner-up and another team that reached NCAA Division III National Championships in Salem, Va. Trine's 18-opponent non-conference schedule features 15 teams that won at least 20 games last season. The Thunder will face four teams ranked in the final NFCA Division III Top 25 poll last season, including three of the top 10.
The season opens with a tournament at Transylvania University Mar. 4-5. In addition to the host Pioneers, Trine will face Wartburg and NCAA Regional participant DePauw. The Thunder owned a combined 3-1 record against Transylvania and DePauw last season.
A late spring break sees Trine make its annual trip to the Rebel Spring Games in Kissimmee, Fla. Mar. 12-18. Highlights of the trip include matchups against NCAA Division III runner-up Messiah, National Championship participant Illinois Wesleyan, NCAA Super Regional participant Luther, and NCAA Regional participant Cortland State. Messiah finished the season ranked No. 3 in the nation, while IWU and Luther finished eighth and 10th respectively.
The Rebel Spring games trip includes a total of 12 games. Ten of those opponents finished the 2016 season with at least 20 wins.
After returning north, Trine's non-conference slate includes games against in-state foe Anderson, Ohio Northern and NCAA Regional participant Wittenberg. All of those doubleheaders will be hosted at SportOne/Parkview Softball Field.
The MIAA portion of the schedule opens with road doubleheaders at Calvin, Olivet and Kalamazoo. The Thunder will also travel to face Hope in conference play this season. Trine will host Albion, Saint Mary's, Alma and Adrian in MIAA play. The Thunder will be looking to defend its fifth-straight conference title this spring.
Trine won its second Regional title last season on the way to a 33-14 overall record. The Thunder concluded the season ranked 22nd in the nation by the NFCA. Trine won a share of its fifth-straight MIAA title and finished as the runner-up in the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic.
The complete schedule can be viewed below. Game times at the Rebel Spring Games are in the process of being finalized and will be announced at a later date. The schedule can also be viewed HERE.
| Date | Opponent | Time |
| Mar. 4-5 Transylvania University Tournament | ||
| Mar. 4 | DePauw | Noon |
| Mar. 4 | Transylvania | 2 p.m. |
| Mar. 5 | Wartburg | Noon |
| Mar. 5 | TBA | TBA |
| Mar. 12-18 Rebel Spring Games, Kissimmee, Fla. | ||
| Mar. 12 | Wheaton (Mass.) | TBA |
| Mar. 12 | Cortland State | TBA |
| Mar. 13 | William Paterson | TBA |
| Mar. 13 | McDaniel | TBA |
| Mar. 14 | Ramapo | TBA |
| Mar. 14 | Illinois Wesleyan | TBA |
| Mar. 16 | Washington College (Md.) | TBA |
| Mar. 16 | Messiah | TBA |
| Mar. 17 | Carroll (Wis.) | TBA |
| Mar. 17 | Wooster | TBA |
| Mar. 18 | Wisconsin-River Falls | TBA |
| Mar. 18 | Luther | TBA |
| Mar. 25 | ANDERSON (IND.) | 1 p.m. |
| Mar. 29 | OHIO NORTHERN | 3:30 p.m. |
| Apr. 1 | Calvin* | 1 p.m. |
| Apr. 4 | Olivet* | 3:30 p.m. |
| Apr. 8 | Kalamazoo* | 1 p.m. |
| Apr. 9 | WITTENBERG | 1 p.m. |
| Apr. 15 | ALBION* | 1 p.m. |
| Apr. 20 | SAINT MARY'S* | 3:30 p.m. |
| Apr. 23 | ALMA* | 1 p.m. |
| Apr. 26 | Hope* | 3:30 p.m. |
| Apr. 29 | ADRIAN* | 1 p.m. |
All games Mar. 25-Apr. 29 are doubleheaders
ALL CAPS denotes home games
* denotes MIAA doubleheader