NOTRE DAME, IND. – The Trine University softball team played tough but were unable to come away with a victory during a doubleheader against Saint Mary's College today.
In game one the Thunder got off to a characteristic start scoring two runs in the top of the first inning to take the early lead. Sophomore Makenna Hartline (Niles, Mich. / Brandywine) plated the runs with a single swing of the bat recording her ninth homer of the season.
The lead was a short held one, with the Belles picking up three runs on a home run of their own in the bottom half of the inning. The Thunder would tie the game in the top of the second but could never regain the lead. A three-run fourth put the game away for Saint Mary's and they would come away with the victory 7-4.
Makenna Hartline led the way for the Thunder finishing off the game with three RBIs. Erica Robles (Long Beach, Calif. / Lakewood) finished the game without a hit for the first time this season. The game marks the end of a 30 games consecutive hitting streak for the senior, stretching back to the final two games of last season. It is the longest such streak on school record and is tied for sixth longest in NCAA Division III history.
In game two it was the Belles who pulled out to an early lead, plating four runs in the top half of the third inning. Trine would find themselves trailing 6-1, before the offense began to gain traction. The Thunder recorded a run in the fifth and three in the sixth to pull within two with the score set at 7-5. But the scoring ended their, as Saint Mary's pitching shutdown the comeback bid and Trine recorded the loss 7-5.
Once again Makenna Hartline led the way for the Thunder finishing the game with four RBIs, including her tenth homer of the season.
Following the loss the Thunder fall to 24-6 overall and 7-3 in MIAA play. They will look to bounce back on Saturday, April 21, when they host Hope College for another MIAA doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.