ADRIAN, Mich. - It was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of day for the Trine University softball team as they routed Adrian College 13-1 in five innings in game one but needed a late-inning comeback to defeat the Bulldogs 7-6 in game two. The sweep improves the No.4 ranked Thunder to 25-3 on the year and 8-0 in the MIAA.
In game one, the Thunder scored in the first four innings. Sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) got things started with a one-out RBI single to left in the top of the first to plate the game’s first run.
Adrian would tie the game in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly after a Trine error.
Trine would open the game up in the second as they scored three times in the inning. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) would triple down the right field line to score a run. Senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) then singled to plate Hall. After a walk and a sacrifice bunt, Belote would score on an RBI groundout by sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey).
Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) would launch a one-out solo homer to right center in the third to extend the Trine lead.
The Thunder would blow the flood gates open in the fourth as they plated eight runs on seven hits, all coming with two outs. Newell would deliver a two-run single and Gasco would hit her second homer of the day, a two-run shot to left. Trine would also get RBI singles in the inning from freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central), sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) and Searles.
Gasco earned the game one victory after going three innings, allowing just one unearned run on two hits while striking out two. Freshman Justin Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) came on for the final two innings striking out two and allowing just runner to reach base on a walk.
Game two was a different story for the Thunder as they had to battle back twice. Adrian would score first as they plated two runs in the third on a home run by Kaitlyn Hinojosa.
Trine would get a run back in the bottom of the inning after Searles reached on a three-base error. Newell would once again knock in Searles on a groundout to third.
The Thunder would take the lead in the fourth after Hall reached on an error and Belote walked. Both would then score on back-to-back singles up the middle by junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) and Searles.
Adrian would retake the lead in the fifth as they plated three runs on just one hit while Trine committed two errors and walked four batters.
The Bulldogs lead wouldn’t last long though as Trine answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) would knock in a run on a double to left. Hall would then score Gasco from third on a sacrifice fly to right. Belote would follow with a single to score Harris from second.
In the sixth the Thunder would tack on a key insurance run as Searles led off the inning with a triple to the left center gap. Big sis Andi would drive her in on a single up the middle to put Trine up 7-5.
In the top of the seventh, Adrian would load the bases with two outs. The Bulldogs would score a run on a walk to pull within one. The next Adrian batter smacked what looked to be the go-ahead hit, but junior Jamie Lydick (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) made an outstanding play up the middle to get the force at second and give Trine the victory.
Gasco earned her second win of the day and 13th of the season, coming on in relief going the final 2 2/3 innings allowing one unearned run on one hit while striking out three. Trine starter, sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) had a no decision lasting four innings, allowing four runs, two unearned, on just one hit and five strikeouts but allowed a season-high six walks. Robles tossed 1/3 of an inning facing four batters and allowing a run on a hit.
Trine will again go right back to action as they travel to Hope on April 16 in a battle of undefeated teams in the conference beginning at 3:30 p.m.
