ADA, Ohio – Top ranked Trine University softball came up with a pair of run-rule, shutout wins over their hosts from Ohio Northern University. Debbie Hill was the star of the day leading the team with five RBIs on three extra base hits while also turning in a one-hit start in the circle.
Hill opened the scoring in the first game of the day, bringing home Karley Trine with a double in the first inning. Emma Beyer brought home the second run of the game with a single three at-bats later to make the score 2-0.
Hill followed up the offense with a quick bottom half of the inning in the circle. She struck out the first batter she faced before forcing a ground out and a fly ball to end put the team back in the batters box again.
Trine scored four in the to of the second to build their lead to 6-0. Karley Trine started the scoring with an RBI-single. Macy Rocha forced an error at third that scored another run while Talisa Chafey brought in two runs on a bases loaded single to left field.
Two more quick innings from Hill in the circle brought the team back to the plate for the top of the fourth inning. Rocha reached to lead off the inning and then retired for Emily Wheaton at first. The senior speedster promptly stole second and then advanced to third on a wild pitch and home on a throwing error by the catcher. The other run of the inning came when Kennedy Huckeby brought in a run on her fielder's choice.
Hill gave up the lone hit of the game in the fourth inning but struck out a pair to end the threat. She followed up by bringing home a run in the top of the fifth to cushion the chance of a run-rule win and make the score 9-0. In the end Hill allowed just two baserunners in the game, one on a hit and one on a walk, while striking out six.
The second game went in much the same fashion ending in five innings with a 10-0 win for the Thunder. This time Alexis Michon did the work in the circle allowing just four to reach base on three hits and a walk, while striking out seven.
Offensively, Hill led the way with three RBIs coming on one swing of the bat, a homerun in the first inning to open the scoring. Tyra Marcum followed up with solo shot of her own in the next at-bat to build the lead to 4-0 still in the first.
Karley Trine added to the lead with the lone run of the second, coming off a double to left center.
The team had another four-run inning in the third. Michon helped herself with a single that scored the first run, before Scarlett Elliott plated a pair with a double to right center. Emma Lee finished the scoring with an RBI-single.
The final run of the game came in the top of the fifth when Emersyn Haney recorded a pinch-hit homer to make the score its final of 10-0.
The Thunder improve to 18-1 overall following the lopsided pair of wins. They will continue their season tomorrow, Monday, March 24 when they host Anderson (Ind.) University for a doubleheader. The games, which were originally scheduled for Friday, are set to start at 3:30 p.m.