HOLLAND, Mich. -- The Trine University softball team returns home from Hope College with a win and a loss. In a pair of tight contests, the team dropped their first game to Alma College 6-5 before defeating the host institution 2-1.
The Thunder offense got going quickly against the Scots, coming up with five runs in the first inning. The first six batters for the team came up with a hit of some kind the first time through the lineup.
Junior Taylor Murdock (Lapel, Ind. / Lapel) brought the first run in with a double. Senior Mercede Daugherty (Watervilet, Mich. / Watervilet) followed up with a single that brought Murdock home from second. The final three runs came with a single swing of the bat from freshman Scarlett Elliott (Utica, Ohio / Utica) who recorded her second homer of the season.
Unfortunately, the five runs were the last of the game for the team and Alma came up with five runs of their own in the bottom of the third inning. The Scots then scored a final run in the bottom of the sixth inning to take their final 6-5 lead for the victory.
The second game of the day was a low-scoring affair with neither team crossing home plate for the first three innings. In the bottom of the fourth, sophomore Amanda Prather (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) brought in the first run with a sacrifice fly to right field.
The 1-0 lead lasted until the top of the sixth inning when the Flying Dutch tied the game with a run of their own. The Thunder responded in the bottom half of the same inning to take back the lead. Prather brought in the second run with an RBI single.
The 2-1 lead would be enough in the game as two freshmen pitchers combined for the victory. Elizabeth Koch (Franklin, Wis. / Franklin) started the game and finished with three scoreless innings of work. Lauren Clausen (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove) came in to finish off the game and finished with three strikeouts while allowing just one run and picking up the win.
The team finishes the day with a 17-5 overall record. They are scheduled to take the field on Wednesday, April 14 with a pair of games against Calvin University. The first game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.