KISSIMMEE, Fla. - In their final day at the Rebel Spring Games, the Trine University softball team split their day falling to 17th ranked Rowan 8-2 before closing out their spring break with an 11-10 extra inning win over Wheaton (MA). The Thunder return home with a record of 7-3 on the season.
Rowan took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first after a leadoff walk followed by a hit batter.
The Thunder would tie the game in the top of the second as freshman Tori Cuebas (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield) led off the inning with a base hit up the middle. Junior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) would follow suit with a single to put runners on second and third as Belote advanced on the throw. Pinch runner, sophomore Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard), would then score on an RBI ground out by fellow sophomore Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton).
Rowan would plate four runs in the bottom of the fourth, all coming with two outs after a Trine error.
Trine would add another run in the fourth inning when junior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) led off with a single. Gasco would then steal second and Belote would drive her in on an RBI double down the left field line.
Rowan would pick up two more runs in the fifth and another in the sixth, all coming with two outs to seal the game.
On the mound for the Thunder, Gasco went all six innings as her record dropped to 3-2 on the year. Gasco allowed just three earned runs while surrendering 10 hits. Gasco finished the morning with six strikeouts while walking four batters.
Belote and freshman Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) led the Thunder at the plate as both went 2-for-3 for the game.
In the final game, the Thunder would again surrender a run in the first inning to Wheaton.
In the bottom of the first, Trine had runners on second and third but were unable to score either runner.
Trine would get runners on second and third in the third inning, but again would be unable to deliver on a hit to score a run.
The Thunder bats would come alive in the fourth as they plated five runs in the inning. Cuebas led off the inning with a single followed by Belote reaching base on a Wheaton error. After a Wheaton throwing error advanced the runners, Daniels would deliver for Trine with an RBI single. The next batter, junior Lindsey Wise (Oregon, Ohio/Clay), would also deliver an RBI single to center field.
Then, with two outs, freshman Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) singled to center scoring Wise. To finish off the inning, Hall came up with a two-RBI single up the middle for the Thunder.
Wheaton would answer back in the top of the fifth scoring four runs aided by two Trine errors to tie the game.
The Thunder would take the lead in the bottom of the sixth with a one out single to right field by Wise, who then advanced to third on a Wheaton error. Junior Andee Browne (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) would then score Wise on an RBI single to the second baseman that she beat out.
The lead wouldn’t last long though as Wheaton led off the top of the seventh with a triple and would then score on a single up the middle.
Trine had an opportunity to win it in the bottom of the seventh with runners on the corners with just one out but a line drive to the shortstop doubled off the Thunder runner at third sending the game into extra frames.
It didn’t look good for the Thunder in the eighth as Wheaton scored three runs in the top of the inning including a two run home run.
Daniels led off the bottom of the inning for the Thunder, delivering a single up the middle and then advancing to second on the throw. Wise would once again come through for Trine delivering an RBI single to center field. Daniels would then score on an error by Wheaton. Hall would come up big for the Thunder delivering an RBI double to left field tying the game and sending the game to the ninth.
Wheaton would again score, as the leadoff batter singled to score the run. Trine pitcher, junior Ashton Morgan (Berne, Ind./South Adams), was able to pitch out of the game not allowing another run to give the Thunder a shot to win it in the bottom of the inning.
With the runner on second, Belote laid down the sacrifice bunt to move the runner to third. With two outs, Daniels delivered a double to shallow left field tying the game. Once again Wise would step up for the Thunder and this time would deliver the game-winner with a single up the middle to score Daniels from second giving the Thunder the victory.
Morgan earned the win for Trine to improve her record to 2-0 on the season. Morgan came on in relief going four and two third innings, allowing three earned runs on seven hits while striking out two and walking none. Freshman Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) started the game for the Thunder, pitching four and one thirds innings giving up four earned runs on five hits, striking out six batters and walking four.
Wise came through all game for the Thunder, leading the way going a perfect 5-for-5 with three RBI’s and three runs scored. Daniels and Searles each had three hits in the game. Daniels finished with two runs and two RBI’s while Searles scored once and drove in a run. Hall finished the afternoon 2-for-5 with three RBI’s while Browne went 2-for-4 with two RBI’s and a run scored.
Trine finished the game with a season-high 17 hits and 11 runs scored.
Trine will take a couple of days off once they return to Angola before their home opener on March 14 when they host Oberlin at 3:30 p.m. for a doubleheader.