ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University softball team captured their third-straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Tournament Title with a thrilling 4-3 victory over Calvin University. The Thunder secure the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III Championship Tournament with the win.
After falling to Trine on Friday evening, the Knights needed a win against Hope College to secure a spot in the championship game Saturday afternoon. Calvin shut out the Flying Dutch 3-0, with Brooke Hunderman pitching the full game for the team.
In the start of the championship game, the Knights looked ready to carry the momentum forward. Carly Dole led off the scoring with a two-out solo shot to left field. Her second homer of the day gave the road team a 1-0 lead.
Hunderman returned from her win earlier in the day to face the Thunder. Fatigue was an early concern with Ellie Trine drawing a leadoff walk followed by Karley Trine coming up with a homerun of her own to give the team their first lead of the day at 2-1.
Tyra Marcum reached second on an error and then made it home on a single from Emma Lee to cushion the lead at 3-1.
After the exciting start, the pitchers took control. Alexis Michon started the game for the Thunder and allowed just two hits through the first four innings. Hunderman settled in for the Knights after the first as well and neither team scored until the fifth.
Calvin manufactured a pair of runs in the top of the fifth to tie the game. With runners on the corners, they sent the player at first, drawing an errant throw from the Thunder catcher and allowing the first run of the inning to score. The team followed up with a squeeze play that scored the second run of the inning.
Marcum played hero in the bottom of the sixth, hammering a ball over the right field fence to give the Thunder the lead again. Her tenth home run of the season, and the team's 43rd, made the score 4-3.
"Michon asked us to let her stay in for the final inning," said head coach Don Danklefsen following the game, "And we've learned to trust her when she tells us she isn't done."
With her petition granted, Michon dominated the final three outs, finishing the game with three strikeouts to seal the victory. The senior earned her 17th win of the season with the start and finished the game with eight strikeouts.
The 2023 National Champions improve to 39-3 overall following the win. They will learn where their title defense will begin on Monday, May 13 at 11 a.m. The 2024 NCAA Division III softball selection show will air on NCAA.com.
