ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University softball won their opening game of the 2024 NCAA Division III Softball Championship tournament in convincing fashion, sending Westminster (Pa.) College to an elimination game with a 9-0 run-rule no-hitter.
"We've worked so hard all season," said Debbie Hill following her pitching performance, "Seeing how much we all want to be here and to get that next win, it's a great feeling to watch the success start to come."
The Thunder got the offense going right from the start, plating a pair of runs in the first inning. Ellie Trine, who finished the day two-for-three, led off the inning with a single back at the pitcher. Karley Trine followed up with a double to left field that put both the sisters in scoring position. Tyra Marcum made solid contact in the first pitch of her at-bat, convincing the crowd that three-run shot was on tap, but it came up just short for the out. The elder Trine was easily able to tag up and reach home for the 1-0 lead. Emma Lee brought in the second Trine later in the inning with a single through the left side of the infield.
In the second inning, Marcum came to the plate again, this time with runners on first and second. This time her line drive to right field bounced off the top of the outfield fence. It was enough for a double and two more runs to the board. Macy Rocha followed up with a single a few batters later that scored a third run and made the score 5-0.
Ainsley Phillips started the scoring in the third, with a two-out triple followed by a throwing error by the Titans' centerfielder that brought her home. Emily Wheaton entered the game as a runner following Ellie Trine's second hit of the day, promptly stealing second and then reaching third on a past ball. They younger Trine then singled down the left field line for the RBI. Rocha brought in two more a few batters later with a bases loaded single, making the score 9-0 and putting Westminster in danger of the run-rule.
Defensively the story for the game was the 18th no-hitter in program history, a combined effort from Hill and Lauren Clausen. Hill made the start in the circle and went for the first four innings. In fact, the sophomore took a perfect game into the fourth inning. The lone baserunner of the game for the Titans came on an error with two outs in the fourth. Hill finished the game with five strikeouts.
"Debbie was doing a great job on the mound and we pull her with a no-hitter going. Not a word. Just a smile and a high five," said head coach Don Danklefsen, "That's what is great about this team, no one cares about the individual achievements they just want to win. As long as the scoreboard is on the right side, they are happy."
Clausen entered in the top of the fifth to finish out the contest. She drew a routine grounder to start the inning before the rest of the defense showed up to preserve the no-hitter. Jo Trine made a spectacular diving catch in rightfield to steal the first hit and then Rocha made up for her earlier error by snatching a line drive out of the air for the final out of the day.
The Thunder improve to 40-3 overall following the victory. They advance to the winner's side of the bracket where they will face the University of Mount Union. This will be the second time the two teams have met with Trine winning the first matchup 9-2 in Florida. The game is scheduled for 11 a.m. tomorrow, Friday, May 17. The winner will advance to the Regional Championship Game on Saturday, May 18, while the loser will play in an elimination game later on Friday.