ANGOLA, Ind.-- Trine will host the 2015 MIAA Softball Tournament this Thursday and Friday, April 30- May 1.
The Thunder enter the tournament as the number one seed, having captured a fourth-consecutive MIAA Championship during the regular-season. Trine is 33-2 overall and finished the conference season with a 15-1 mark in league games. The Thunder were ranked sixth in the latest NFCA Division III Top 25 Poll released last Wednesday and top the Central Region in the official NCAA Regional rankings. The team has won 14-straight games entering Thursday's action.
Trine will face Saint Mary's in the first round. The two teams met just two days ago, with the Thunder earning a sweep with 5-2 and 9-0 victories. Trine is seeking its third-straight MIAA Tournament title.
The Belles enter the tournament 22-12 overall, having placed fourth in the MIAA during the regular-season with a 9-7 conference mark. Saint Mary's is making its first tournament appearance since 2012. The Belles won their only tournament title in 2004.
The Thunder feature an offense that has won with both speed an power. The team leads the nation in home runs per game and slugging percentage, while ranking third in stolen bases per game. Trine also ranks ninth in the country in batting average and 11th in on-base percentage.
Trine and Saint Mary's square off at 1 p.m. Thursday, or one-half hour after the tournament-opening game between no. 2 seed Hope and no. 3 seed Alma.
Hope enters the tournament as the only team to defeat Trine in conference play. The Flying Dutchmen are 27-7 overall and finished with a 12-4 record in league play. Hope's last MIAA Tournament championship came in 2006.
Alma finished the regular-season 23-13, with a 12-4 mark in MIAA play. The Thunder swept the Scots in a doubleheader at Trine on April 21st. Alma is returning to the conference tournament after a one-year absence. The Scots' last tournament championship came in 2012.
The complete tournament schedule is listed below. More information on the tournament can be found HERE.
Game | Date | Matchup | Time |
1 | Apr. 30 |
#2 Hope vs. #3 Alma |
11 a.m. |
2 | Apr. 30 |
#1 Trine vs. #4 St. Mary's |
1 p.m. |
3 | Apr. 30 |
Loser Game One vs. Loser Game Two | 3:30 p.m. |
4 | Apr. 30 |
Winner Game One vs. Winner Game Two | 5:30 p.m. |
5 | May 1 |
Winner Game Three vs. Loser Game Four | 12 p.m. |
6 | May 1 |
Winner Game Four vs. Winner Game Five | 2 p.m. |
7 | May 1 |
Game Six Teams (If Necessary) | 4:30 p.m. |