KISSIMMEE, Fla. - After winning their first two games at the Rebel Spring Games, the Trine University softball team jumped three spots in the NFCA National Poll to 11th as they head to Georgia for the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic beginning March 8.
The Thunder backed that up as they closed out the Rebel Games with a perfect 6-0 record. On Monday, Trine pulled out a squeaker in a 5-4, 8-inning win over Muskingum. After surrendering three runs in the first on a home run and another in the third, the team battled back in the bottom of the third to score four runs to tie. With the bases loaded, freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) singled, scoring two. The Muskingum catcher threw wild attempting to retire sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) at third, allowing both Searles and Clark to score and tie the game. After neither team could score in the next four innings, the game went to extra-innings. With a runner placed on second to start the inning, senior pitcher Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) retired Muskingum in order. On Trine’s turn to bat, Clark was placed at second. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) advanced Clark to third on a groundout to second. Gasco then grounded out to the shortstop, but Clark was able to score from third to give the Thunder the win.
In the nightcap, the Thunder earned their third shutout of the week as they defeated Aurora 4-0. Trine got the only run they would need in the third on an RBI single by senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). The Thunder would tack on another in the fifth after a leadoff triple by junior Haleigh Daniels. Then, Trine added two more in the seventh on a two-run home run by Daniels. Freshman Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) pitched a 4-hit shutout in her first collegiate start while striking out nine batters.
On Tuesday, the Thunder had their toughest game in Florida but were able to exacted revenge on Simpson after a tough loss last season during Spring Break. Trine scored all three of their runs in the fourth on back-to-back singles by Gasco and Harris.
In their final game in Florida, sophomore pitcher Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) threw her first career no-hitter as the Thunder defeated Beloit. Fuller finished the night with nine strikeouts and was just a walk away from a perfect game. At the plate, eight Trine starters recorded a hit in the game. The Thunder offense scored in each of the five innings. Sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) hit her first home run of the season, a solo shot in the third. Gasco also hit her third home run of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth.
The Thunder open the NFCA Leadoff Classic facing No. 8 Illinois Wesleyan on March 8 at 10:00 a.m.
