ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University softball team will advance to the 2022 NCAA Division III Angola, Ind. Regional Championship game after gritting out an 8-4 victory over North Central (Ill.) College.
The Thunder struck first in the contest. Senior Ashley Swartout (Westfield, Ind. / Westfield) would lead off the bottom of the second inning with a single. Her pinch runner would then advance to second on a great slap bunt by junior Amanda Prather (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli). Both runners would advance a sacrifice bun by sophomore Scarlett Elliott (Utica, Ohio / Utica).
Now with runners on second and third and one out. The next batter would strike out brining freshman Ainsley Phillips (Yorktown, Ind. / Yorktown) to the plate. She would once again come up big with a single to left center that would score both runners giving the team a 2-0 lead.
The top of the third saw the Cardinals return the favor. Their leadoff would reach on their own single and move to second on a sacrifice bunt, before scoring on a hard-hit double to right center.
The run forced a change in the circle for the Thunder. Junior Anna Koeppl (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg) started the game for the team and allowed the one run on three hits while striking out one in her two and a third innings of work. Sophomore Lauren Clausen (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove) would enter in relief and force two quick outs to end the inning.
Junior Ellie Trine (Kokomo, Ind. / Kokomo) would lead off the bottom of the third with a single, moving to second on a bunt and third on a wild pitch. With two outs on the board, Swartout would come to the plate and blast the ball over the fence in left-center field. The two-run homer gave the team a 4-1 lead.
The fourth saw North Central record a two-run homer of their own, closing the gap to one again at 4-3. Clausen would settle down and get out of the inning with three balls hit into the air, limiting the damage.
Sophomore Adrienne Rosey (Schoolcraft, Mich. / Schoolcraft) would enter the circle for the top of the fifth inning, looking to close out the game with the close lead. After a quick strikeout to start the inning the Cardinals would put runners on second and third with one out. It looked like Rosey would end the threat after another strikeout, but some crafty baserunning allowed the lead runner to steal home tying the game at four.
The Thunder offense would go to work, Ellie Trine would reach to lead off the inning and advance to second once again on a sacrifice bunt. With two outs and an empty first base the opposition chose to intentionally walk Swartout. The plan backfired when Prather hit a double down the left field line, Ellie Trine would score easily and Swartout would beat the throw to give the team back the lead at 6-4. Elliott would follow up with a double of her own bringing Prather home from second and the team would leave the inning with a 7-4 lead.
Rosey settled in for the top of the sixth and struck out two while holding North Central scoreless.
Phillips would lead off the bottom of the inning with another hit, moving to second on a sacrifice bunt. Ellie Trine would then single to right field and purposefully strand herself between first and second forcing a rundown and allowing Phillips to score. The heads up baserunning added the insurance run and made the score 8-4.
Rosey would close out the game with three outs and the Thunder would win with the 8-4 score.
The Thunder will need to wait until tomorrow, Sunday, May 14 to find out who their opponent is. North Central and University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire will face off at 10 a.m. in an elimination game. The winner will meet Trine at noon.