LEXINGTON, Ky. -- The Trine University softball team finished off the Pioneer Classic hosted by Transylvania University by splitting their games today, once again against opponents nationally-ranked by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) poll. The Thunder (22nd) started the day with a 7-2 loss to DePauw University (7th) before getting a victory over their hosts from Transylvania (10th) by the score of 6-5.
The Tigers struck first in the opening inning of the day against Trine scoring the lone run of the first two innings. In the bottom of third, the Thunder crossed home themselves to tie the game at one. A leadoff single got senior Bailey Vande Giessen (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Portage Central) into play where she eventually advanced to third on the back of a single from freshman Emersyn Haney (Holland, Ohio / Springfield). Sophomore Amanda Prather (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) brought Vande Giessen home with a sharply hit ball.
The tie was short-lived however as DePauw roared back in the top of the fourth and fifth innings scoring six straight runs to take a 7-1 lead.
Vande Giessen would bring in the final run for the Thunder in the bottom of the seventh with a sacrifice fly ball to centerfield.
Freshman Lauren Clausen (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove) started the game in the circle for the team and pitched well until running into trouble in the fifth inning. Classmate Adrienne Rosey (Schoolcraft, Mich. / Schoolcraft) finished off the game.
In the second game of the day, Trine started off more auspiciously against the Pioneers. Sophomore Ellie Trine (Kokomo, Ind. / Kokomo) and Haney drew out opening walks to start the game and then advance to third and second base respectively on a passed ball. Junior Ashley Swartout (Westfield, Ind. / Westfield) reached base on an error that also brought both of the speedsters in for the 2-0 lead.
After Transy responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning Thunder made the score 3-1 in the top of the second when Prather drew the walk with bases loaded.
Once again the Pioneers responded with a run in the bottom half of the inning bringing the score to 3-2, they would then tie the game in the bottom of the fifth and then take a 5-3 lead with a pair of runs in the sixth.
Down two with two outs, the Thunder found themselves with a runner on first and second with Vande Giessen coming to the plate. She came up big with a triple to left field tying the game with one swing of the bat. Junior Taylor Murdock (Lapel, Ind. / Lapel) then brought Vande Giessen home with a single to take the lead at 6-5.
Senior Hannah Kampmann (St. Paul, Minn. / Cretin Derham Hall) started the game for Trine and pitched four and a third innings allowing three runs while recording three strikeouts. Sophomore Anna Koeppl (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg) finished off the game in relief including the crucial bottom of the seventh where she set down the opposition to secure the win.
The Thunder finish the day 4-2. They will return home for their next competition hosting Manchester University on Tuesday, March 23. The doubleheader is set to begin at 3 p.m.