ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University softball team took a pair of lopsided run-rule victories over visiting Olivet College in Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) action.
The Thunder offense started their work early plating four runs in the first inning. Senior Mercede Daugherty (Watervliet, Mich. / Watervliet) brought the in the first run with a double, then classmate Ashley Swartout (Westfield, Ind. / Westfield) would go long over the left center fence to make the score 3-0. Freshman Emma Beyer (Rochester, Mich. / Stoney Creek) would finish the inning with a double making the score 4-0.
The team then doubled their first innings effort scoring eight runs in the second to build the lead to 12-0. Senior Taylor Murdock (Lapel, Ind. / Lapel) singled for the first run and then Daugherty brought in the second with another double. Later in the inning, Swartout would record another RBI on a single and then junior Amanda Prather (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) got in on the action with a two-run double. Junior Ellie Trine (Kokomo, Ind. / Kokomo) finished off the inning with a double of her own scoring the eighth run of the frame.
The hits kept coming in the third. Daugherty recorded the second homer of the day to score the first run. Then Beyer hit another double bringing in two more. Junior Anna Gill (Ashville, Ohio / Teays Valley) brought in the 16th run of the game with a single and sophomore Emily Wheaton (Kalamazoo, Mich. / Hackett Catholic) finished the inning with an RBI single of her own.
The final run of the game came in the fourth inning when sophomore Scarlett Elliott (Utica, Ohio / Utica) recorded the team's third homer of the day, making the final 18-0.
The team split time in the circle between two pitchers. Junior Anna Koeppl (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg) started the contest and pitched three innings allowing just one hit while striking out two. Then sophomore Adrienne Rosey (Schoolcraft, Mich. / Schoolcraft) would finish off the game striking out three batters in two innings of work.
The second game would go much the same with the Thunder offense continuing to be a problem for the Comets. The team would score five funs in the first inning to start the contest. The runs came with two outs already on the board. Elliott brought home a pair with a double, followed by Prather, Beyer and freshman Angelena Perry (Clarkston, Mich. / Clarkston) each bringing in one.
The second inning saw the first two runners reach base before Daugherty slapped a single down the left field line to score a run. Prather would then single to left field later in the inning to score a pair of runs and Beyer finished the inning with a groundout that brought home another making the score 9-1.
Things really got out of hand in the third inning, with the Thunder scoring eight runs. Trine would plate the first run with a single and Murdock followed it up quickly with a triple to score another. Two of the next three Thunder would reach base on balls letting Prather record a two RBI single.
Another walk loaded the bases again, and senior Lexi Clark (Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg) would step to the plate for the second time in the inning. She capitalized on the chance blitzing a ball down the right field line past the first baseman to the fence. She would sprint the bases and return home upright for the inside the park grand slam.
The team slowed down a bit in the final two innings scoring three in each to finish the game with the 23-1 score. In the fourth Perry accounted for one run and junior Anna Gill (Ashville, Ohio / Teays Valley) accounted for the other two. Then in the fifth sophomore Giselle Riley (Temecula, Calif. / Temecula Valley) led off with a homer and then a few batters later Beyer would finish the scoring with a two-run homer of her own.
Once again the team went through a pair of pitchers in the contest. Sophomore Elizabeth Koch (Franklin, Wis. / Franklin) started the game and pitched three innings allowing one run on four hits and a walk while striking out one. Then sophomore Lauren Clausen (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove) pitched the final two innings allowing one hit while striking out four.
The team improves to 18-11 overall and 8-2 in MIAA play following the sweep. They will next take the diamond when they travel to face Adrian College on Saturday, April 23. The doubleheader is set to start at 1 p.m.
