ELIZABETHTOWN, Ky. – The Trine University softball team was defeated in a pair of close contests on the opening day of the Pioneer Classic.
The team opened the day with 11th ranked DePauw University and would strike first in the contest. Both teams would threaten in the first two innings but neither was able to bring in a run.
The top of the third saw the Thunder putdown the opposition in straight at-bats. The team would carry the momentum built on the defensive effort in the bottom half of the inning. Junior Ellie Trine (Kokomo, Ind. / Kokomo) would start the inning with a double and scooting home on a single from senior Mercede Daugherty (Watervliet, Mich. / Watervliet) a few moments later.
The 1-0 lead would be short-lived. The Tigers would score three runs in the top of the fourth to take their first lead of the game at 3-1. It would end up being the final runs of the contest with both team's pitching locking in and holding the other scoreless.
Sophomore Lauren Clausen (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove) would enter in relief for the Thunder ending the DePauw rally in the fourth and then allowing just three hits and one walk in the final four innings of the game.
The second game of the day would come against a feisty squad from Wartburg College. This time the opposition would score first and often in the game. They would score in all but one of the first six innings of the contest.
In the bottom of the first the Knights scored their first run to take the 1-0 lead. Trine would respond in the top of the second. With two outs on the board, a pair of Thunder would draw walks to put runners on first and second for senior Lexi Clark (Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg) who would bring both home with a double to left field.
Wartburg would tie the game in the bottom of the same inning and then took back the lead in the fourth adding to it in the fifth and sixth innings. All the runs would come without a response from Trine and the teams would head into the seventh 7-2.
The Thunder would need five to stave off defeat in the top of the seventh. After a leadoff out, the next batter would walk. The board would show two outs after another batter reached on a fielder's choice. The next three Thunder would reach on walks, loading the bases and then bringing in a run, sophomore Giselle Riley (Temecula, Calif. / Temecula Valley) would earn the RBI.
Clark would earn another RBI on a single following a pitching change after the walks. Then Trine and classmate Amanda Prather (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) would each walk earning their own RBIs forcing another pitching change. That one would be enough for the final out of the game, with Trine still down 7-6.
The team falls to 4-9 overall following the pair of losses. They will return to the diamond tomorrow, Sunday, March 19. They start the day with a 10 a.m. contest against Illinois Wesleyan University before taking on Transylvania University at 3 p.m.