ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University softball team swept visiting Saint Mary's College with a pair of five inning run-rule victories. It is the third time this season and the first since entering Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) play that the team has shutout their opponents over the course of a doubleheader.
The Thunder opened the day with an 8-0 victory. In the circle, Alexis Michon made the start and posted a dominating performance. She struck out nine batters in her five innings of work and took a perfect game into the final inning. Ultimately, she allowed just a walk and a hit in the shutout performance.
The team had a quiet first inning at the plate before scoring their first run in the second. With bases loaded, Scarlett Elliott drew a walk to bring in the run. The offense really got going in the fourth inning, with the team scoring four runs. Michon helped herself with a groundout that brought in the first and Elliott came up with a second RBI on a single to left field. Ellie Trine singled and Karley Trine tripled to bring home two more.
Trine brought home three more runs in the fifth to walk off the game with the 8-0 final. Macy Rocha homered to bring in the first two and Elliott finished the game with a single through the left side. The pair both finished perfect at the plate in the contest, with Rocha going three-for-three for with two RBIs and Elliott going two-for-two with three RBIs.
The Thunder saved their best game for last, winning 15-0 with two-thirds of those runs coming in the third inning alone.
Debbie Hill was the hero of the game both in the circle and at the plate. The sophomore started the contest and ultimately pitches three innings of a no-hitter while striking out four batters. At the plate, she finished the game two-for-three with a team high four RBIs. In the third inning alone, she recorded a pair of home runs.
Ellie Trine and Emma Beyer each recorded two RBIs in the game with Karley Trine and Talisa Chafey coming in with one apiece.
The team recorded their first runs in the top of the second when Beyer's hit to right center was bolstered by an error that allowed Beyer and Chafey to reach home. The elder Trine brought in a third run with her single up the middle.
The wheels came off for the Belles in the third with the Thunder bringing home ten runs. Four came on the homers from Hill with the rest spread among the lineup. April Sellers scored the lone run of the fourth, scampering home on a wild pitch. Michaela Doiron scored in the fifth when an error allowed Allie Moss to reach first.
Alex Rodriguez finished the last two innings in the circle for the team. She allowed a pair of hits and a walk but kept the shutout intact while striking out three batters.
The team improves to 28-3 overall and 6-2 in MIAA play following the victories. They will host Alma College for their next pair of games on Sunday, April 21. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.