LOUISVILLE, Ky. – The Trine University softball team was once again selected as the third best team in the country according to the latest National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Top 25 Coaches Poll.
The top four spots in the poll remained unchanged for the week, with Salisbury University and Christopher Newport University still ahead of the Thunder and with Texas Lutheran University one spot behind in fourth.
Trine swept their home opening doubleheader against Ohio Northern University in their only competition of the week. The team opened the day with an 8-1 victory, with five of the runs being brought in off of freshman Karley Trine homeruns. In the circle Alexis Michon made the start and in her five innings of work allowed just one run while striking out nine. Freshman Debbie Hill would finish off the win in the final two innings.
The team secured the sweep with a 13-6 victory in game two. Senior Anna Koeppl earned the win in the circle and took a perfect game into the top of the fifth inning, before the Polar Bears got onto the board. Senior Amanda Prather opened the scoring in the game with a grand slam in the first inning. Freshmen Emma Lee and Reese Ruvalcaba were the other two multi-RBI players for the team, each finishing with a pair.
The Thunder improved to 12-2 overall following the week. They will continue their season when they host Anderson (Ind.) University on Wednesday, March 29. The doubleheader is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.