by Sports Information Student Assistant Caitlin Reynolds

ALLIANCE, Ohio - The Trine University softball team traveled to Ohio this St. Patrick's Day to take on Mount Union, and they came up with two big shutout wins. The Thunder came out with a bang in the first game defeating the Purple Raiders 13-0 in five innings, and finished the sweep with a 1-0 win the second game.

The Thunder struck in the first inning, scoring a run. Senior Kelly Tresick (Clinton Township, Mich./L'Anse Creuse) led off the game with a double to center, and would then score from an RBI single to left center by freshman Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central).

The Thunder defense would come up big in the bottom of the first with a double play, as the Mount Union batter would pop out and Trine then doubled up the runner at first.

In the second inning the Thunder would take advantage of some sloppy defense as junior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) started off the inning with a single up the middle, and would advance to second on an error by the pitcher. Sophomore Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) would then reach on an error by the shortstop. Both would both advance as junior Lindsey Wise (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) legged out a single to the pitcher. Belote would score from a Sacrifice Fly from Tresick, and then an error by the catcher would also allow Daniels to score.

The third brought another run for Trine and another scoreless inning for Thunder defense. Following a walk to junior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey), freshman Tori Cuebas (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield) singled through the left side. Gasco would come around to score from an RBI single by Belote.

The Thunder bats really came alive in the top of the fourth as they put up seven runs. Wise got things started with a single to left center. Tresick would move her over to second as she reached on an error by the third baseman. Freshman Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) get in on the action with a single to the pitcher.

Another error would allow Hall to reach safely, scoring Wise from third. Gasco would clear the bases with a three RBI triple. Gasco would then score on a single by Cuebas. Belote would come up big again, this time smashing her second homerun of the season.

Going into the top of the fifth inning the Thunder had kept Mount Union off the score board and continued to put up multiple runs of their own. Searles started with a one out single through the left side. Hall followed up with a single of her own as each would advance on a fly out by Gasco to right field. A two RBI single from Cuebas would finish up the scoring for the Thunder, as they would finish off the shut out in the bottom of the fifth inning.

On the mound, Gasco would get the win for the Thunder moving her record to 5-2, pitching four innings. Gasco would allow just one hit and one walk, with five strikeouts. Freshman Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) would come on in relief for the final inning giving up one hit, and earning one strikeout. 

Gasco (1-for-3), Belote (3-for-4) and Cuebas (3-for-4) led the offense with three RBI's each. Hall (2-for-4) would add two RBI's of her own. Wise and Searles also chipped in with two hits apiece.

The second game wasn't the high scoring affair that the first was, but the Thunder still held the Purple Raiders scoreless and came out on top.

The First inning both teams were kept scoreless by the respective defenses.

The only run of the game for either team came in the top of the second inning as junior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) started things off with a single to left field. After Daniels reached on an error by the third baseman, Wise would lay down a sacrifice bunt to move pinch runner, sophomore Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard), and Daniels over, but Craig would then be thrown out trying to go home on the play. After a base hit by sophomore Jamie Lydick (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) put runners on the corners, Lydick would steal second, allowing Daniels to score on the throw.

Neither team would score after that, giving the Thunder the 1-0 victory.

Searles would pick up the win in the circle going four innings, improving her record to 3-1 on the year. Searles scattered four hits while allowing just two walks, with one strikeout. Gasco would pick up the save going three innings picking up six strikeouts, allowing no hits and just one walk.

Harris led the offense going a perfect 3-for-3 while Hall added two hits of her own.

The Thunder will return home on March 20 with a doubleheader against Bluffton with the first game starting at 3:30 p.m.