ANGOLA, Ind. – Visiting Calvin University stunned the top-ranked Trine University softball team, sweeping today's Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association doubleheader inside of SportONE/Parkview Field.
The first team featured steady offense from both teams, but the Knights posted a crooked number in the fifth inning to secure the 13-7 victory. They began the game with three runs to take an early lead against the Thunder. The home side responded in the bottom half of the inning with Ellie Trine leading off with a triple, before scampering home on Karley Trine's single.
Tyra Marcum followed up with the first of four hits in the game, a double to left field that brought in the younger Trine all the way from first. She ended the game four-for-four while also tying for the lead on the team with two RBIs. Emma Lee had a double of her own to finish the scoring by bringing home Marcum.
After Calvin retook the lead in the second, no one scored until the fourth inning. It was then that Karley Trine came up with another RBI-single that tied the game again, this time at four runs.
The Knights pulled away in the fifth and six innings, scoring nine runs in the two frames to build a commanding 13-4 lead.
Ellie Trine staved off an early end to the contest with a two-run homer to dead center field and Marcum got her final RBI in the seventh inning to give the team their final score of 13-7.
Debbie Hill started the game for the Thunder and allowed eight, though only four earned, of the 13 Calvin runs. She did strikeout four in the contest. Lauren Clausen finished out the game with two and a third innings, allowing the other five runs.
The second game of the day unfolded as a pitchers' duel. Karley Trine homered to left center in the top of the first inning, the lone run of the first four innings for either team. It was the elder Trine that brought home the second run for the team in the top of the fifth on a double.
Alexis Michon pitched for the team and took the shutout into the bottom sixth inning. It was then that the Knights figured out the senior, recording a two-run homer and a two-RBI double to build a 4-2 lead heading into the seventh. Trine was unable to find a run in the final frame and the score went final in favor of the visitors.
The Trine sisters led the way offensively for the day. Karley finished going four-for-six in the two games with a homerun and three RBIs. Ellie finished the day three-for-seven with three RBIs with a homerun, a triple and a double.
The Thunder fall to 26-3 overall and 4-2 in MIAA play following the pair of losses. The team is scheduled to host Saint Mary's College on Wednesday, April 17 for another MIAA doubleheader. First pitch is set for 3 p.m.