WHITEWATER, WIS. – The Trine University softball team won their first game of the day before coming up just short in the second contest to be eliminated from postseason contention.
The Thunder came into the day with one loss, facing elimination in all of their next games. They did not bow to the pressure. Trine would defeat Benedictine (Ill.) University to open their day by the score of 5-1.
The game started as a pitcher's duel with both teams holding the other off the board through the first three innings. Junior Kate Saupe (Farwell, Mich. / Farwell) pitched spectacularly for the Thunder allowing only the lone run while recording a strike out and giving her defense easy outs throughout the game.
Trine would break up the Benedictine (Ill.) shutout in the bottom of the fourth. The bottom half of the lineup worked the bases loaded bringing senior Emily White (Fortville, Ind. / Mount Vernon) to the plate. White wasted no time dropping a single over the shortstop's head. The hit scored two runs, giving Trine the 2-0 lead.
The Thunder added to their lead in the bottom of the fifth when senior Kaylee Fox (Vermilion, Ohio / Edison) lined a ball down the left field line for a two-run homer. In the top of the sixth, Benedictine (Ill.) got a homerun of their own to finally break up Saupe's shut out and pull within three, 4-1.
Trine finished off the scoring in the bottom of the sixth when senior Erica Robles (Long Beach, Calif. / Lakewood) brought in a run off of a fielding error giving the Thunder the final lead of 5-1.
In game two, Trine faced off with Coe College for the second time this weekend. The Kohawks started strong building a 4-0 lead heading into the fifth inning.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Thunder worked runners onto first and second with Fox due up with two outs. Once again Fox went long, this time a towering shot to right center field. Trine ended the inning down just one run, 4-3.
The Thunder were unable to pick up the tying run in the seventh and were eliminated from the regional by the score of 4-3.
Fox led the way offensively for the Trine finishing with two homeruns for five RBIs. She finishes the season with 17 homers, the second highest tally in school NCAA history. Fox finishes her career with three of the top homerun seasons on record.
White finished second on the team with two RBIs of her own. Robles picked up the last and also pitched well in relief during the second game.
Trine finishes the season with an overall record of 26-13.