OLIVET, Mich. – The Trine University softball team swept their hosts from Olivet College in a Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) doubleheader. They won a shortened first contest 9-1 in five innings before shutting out the opposition 5-0 in the second.
The Thunder offense got rolling quickly in the first game scoring six runs in the top of the first inning. Senior Mercede Daugherty (Watervilet, Mich. / Watervilet) brought in the first run of the day with a single in her first at-bat. Junior Ashley Swartout (Westfield, Ind. / Westfield) quickly followed up with a single of her own for another RBI.
A passed ball scored the next run, but freshman Scarlett Elliott (Utica, Ohio / Utica) followed up with another single that scored two runs. The final RBI of the inning went to junior Lexi Clark (Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg) who was batting ninth for the team.
Swartout added to the lead in the top of the fourth inning with a two-run homer and Daugherty would add to the lead again in the fifth with another single.
In the circle, sophomore Anna Koeppl (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg) pitched a strong game allowing just the lone run, which came in the bottom of the fifth inning, on four hits and four strikeouts. The 9-1 victory is her ninth of the season.
It took a bit longer, but Trine's offense got rolling again in the second game of the day. They scored their first runs in the bottom of the third inning. Daugherty once again started the scoring with an RBI single. Swartout recorded the second RBI of the inning with a single of her own and sophomore Amanda Prather (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) brought in the final run with a sacrifice bunt that caused an error.
Senior Victoria Porter (Canton, Mich. / Canton) added to the lead in the bottom of the fifth with a single and then Daugherty finished off the scoring in the sixth with another single.
A pair of freshman pitchers held firm in the game to record the seven-inning shutout. Lauren Clausen (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove) started the contest and pitched four strong innings allowing just four hits with a strikeout. She would earn the win, her third of the season. Adrienne Rosey (Schoolcraft, Mich. / Schoolcraft) entered the game in relief and pitched for a three-inning save, her fifth of the season, she allowed just one hit and struck out one.
Trine improves to 24-6 overall and 10-0 in MIAA play following the day of action. They are scheduled to return home for their next MIAA doubleheader coming on Saturday, April 24 against Adrian College. The first game is scheduled to start at 1 p.m.