KALAMAZOO, Mich. – The Trine University softball team began their Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) title defense with sweep of Kalamazoo College, including a lopsided second game.
The day began with a pitching duel that lasted until the fourth inning. Neither team reached base in the first inning, and the Thunder's Debbie Hill recorded the only hit for either team in the first three innings.
Trine recorded the first runs in the top of the fourth, when they brought in three runners. Macy Rocha and Hill both recorded RBI hits during the inning. After Hill's double, Allie Moss relieved the sophomore to run the bases and promptly stole third base. Moss came home on a bad throw from the catcher to make the score 3-0.
Hill also made the start in the circle and took a perfect game into the fourth inning. The Hornets ended the attempt then with a leadoff single, that they worked to third on a stolen base and fly ball. They scored the run on the team's second hit of the game.
The pitchers settled back into a rhythm for the remainder of the game, with the last run for the Thunder coming in top of the seventh. Rocha brought in that final run on a two-out single, giving the team their final lead of 4-1.
Hill finished the game with 11 strikeouts, having allowed just four hits and the one run, earning her seventh win of the season.
The second game of the day saw the Trine offense find its groove and cruise to an 8-0 run-rule victory.
Emma Lee scored the first run of the game, reaching base on a single before stealing second and scoring on an errant throw by the Kalamazoo catcher. Emma Beyer and Lee both brought in runs with singles during the second inning, building the lead to 3-0.
Beyer had another RBI in the third, with Scarlett Elliott following up with a double that brought home a pair of runs. The team recorded their final runs of the day in the bottom of the fourth, building their lead to 8-0. Hill and Tyra Marcum both had RBI hits in that inning.
Alexis Michon pitched the game for the Thunder and ended the day with seven strikeouts while allowing just two hits and a walk. She improves to 9-1 for the season.
Trine improves to 24-1 overall and 2-0 in MIAA play following the sweep. They will head to Adrian College on Tuesday, April 9 for their next doubleheader. Game one is set to begin at 3:30 p.m.
