ADRIAN, Mich. – The Trine University softball team picked up a pair of 7-0 victories over their hosts from Adrian College to secure another Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) sweep.
Savvy baserunning led the way for the Thunder during the first half of the doubleheader. Junior Ellie Trine (Kokomo, Ind. / Kokomo) would lead off the game with a single, before advancing to third on a bunt and a fielders choice that also left senior Mercede Daugherty (Watervliet, Mich. / Watervliet) on first. Daugherty would steal second and, on the throw, Trine would scamper home to give the team a 1-0 lead.
No running was needed for the first run of the second. Sophomore Scarlett Elliott (Utica, Ohio / Utica) would just need to trot around the bases after putting the ball over the fence in left center field. Trine would single again as the team flipped to the top of the order and would steal second before coming home on the back of a single from senior Taylor Murdock (Lapel, Ind. / Lapel) making the score 3-0.
The team would score again on the double steal in the bottom of the fourth inning. Murdock would reach third base in the leadoff spot on an error by the third baseman, followed by Daugherty reaching base on balls before being subbed out for a pinch runner. Sophomore Emily Wheaton (Kalamazoo, Mich. Hackett Catholic), the pinch runner, would quickly take off for second and Murdock would steal home on the throw. Later in the inning, Wheaton would then steal third and advance home an error by the catcher to make the score 5-0.
In the sixth inning, senior Ashley Swartout (Westfield, Ind. / Westfield) would bring in the team's sixth run by reaching first on a fielder's choice bringing Trine home from third. The final run of the game would come in the seventh, when freshman Ainsley Phillips (Yorktown, Ind. / Yorktown) brought home a runner on an error by the third baseman.
In the circle sophomore Adrienne Rosey (Schoolcraft, Mich. / Schoolcraft) was up to her old tricks, pitching all seven innings of the game allowing just three hits while striking out seven.
The offense continued to roll in the second game. The Thunder would threaten in the bottom of the first loading the bases with two outs before leaving them stranded. The second inning saw two quick outs before a pair of batters reached safely, bringing Murdock to the plate with two outs and runners on first and second. She would convert spectacularly with an inside the park homer making the score 3-0.
The team's next runs would come in the bottom of the fifth. This time it was junior Amanda Prather (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) who would come to the plate with two runners on. She would bring both home with a double to right field.
Trine would score their final two runs in the bottom of the sixth. Daugherty would bring in the first with a single with two runners on followed directly by Swartout bringing in another with a sacrifice fly.
This time two pitchers would see time in the circle for the team. Junior Anna Koeppl (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg) took the start and pitched five innings allowing just two hits while striking out two. Sophomore Lauren Clausen (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove) would then finish off the final two innings allowing one hit and one walk with two strikeouts. The combined shutout would make the final 7-0.
Trine improves to 20-11 overall and 10-2 in MIAA play following the pair of wins. They will continue their season when they host Alma College on Wednesday, April 27. The Scots currently sit at 10-2 in the MIAA as well, with both teams tied for second, but are scheduled to play Albion College tomorrow, April 24. First pitch on Wednesday is scheduled for 3 p.m.