LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Trine University softball team split in a pair of close contests with nationally recognized teams on the first day of Transylvania University's Pioneer Classic. The Thunder, ranked 22nd in the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), picked up a 1-0 victory over Illinois Wesleyan (RV) before dropping their second game 1-0 with DePauw University (7th).
Trine scored the lone run of their first contest of the day in the very first inning of play. With two outs on the board, the Thunder found themselves with sophomore Amanda Prather (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) sitting in scoring position on second base. Freshman Scarlett Elliot (Utica, Ohio / Utica) came to the plate and came up with a clutch single to centerfield to bring in the run and give the team a 1-0 lead.
From their senior Hannah Kampmann (St. Paul, Minn. / Cretin Derham Hall) settled into the circle to shutdown the Titans' offense allowing just one hit which came in the bottom of the sixth inning. The win would go down as Kampmann's first of the season. Freshman Adrienne Rosey (Schoolcraft, Mich. / Schoolcraft) spelled the senior in the final inning and earned the first save of her career.
The second game of the day saw the Thunder locked into another pitchers' duel, but this time they would come out on the wrong side. Sophomore Anna Koeppl (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg) took the circle for Trine and pitched the entire game allowing just the lone run in the bottom of the third inning.
At the plate, the team was unable to give their pitcher any support as the Tiger's pitcher allowed just three hits in the game.
Trine finishes the day 3-1 overall following the split. They will continue play at the Pioneer Classic tomorrow, Sunday, March 21 with another pair of contests. The first will come against DePauw once again and is scheduled to start at 10 a.m. They are then scheduled to face off with their hosts from Transylvania at noon.