KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The Trine University softball team swept their way through two regional rivals as they defeated Muskingum and Thomas More to improve their record to 3-1 on the season.

The Thunder led off the day with a 1-0 victory over Muskingum behind a stellar pitching performance from freshman Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey). Searles allowed just one hit over seven innings for the Thunder while striking out two batters. The lone hit came off a leadoff single in the top of the third.

The lone run of the game came in the bottom of the second as junior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) started the inning off with a double down the left field line. After Gasco stole third, and fellow junior Sarah Belote walked (Bronson, Mich./Bronson), sophomore Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) singled to right field to score Gasco.

Getting her first start of the season, junior Andee Browne (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc) led the Trine offense going  2-for-3 with two stolen bases.

In game two against Thomas More, the Thunder needed extra innings to get the win as they won 5-4 in eight innings behind the pitching of Gasco.

Trine got the scoring going early as they plated a run in the first as Searles singled with one out and stole second. After Gasco also singled, freshman Tori Cuebas (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield) singled through the left side to plate Searles.

The Saints would tie the game up in the bottom half of the inning with two outs and the bases empty.

Trine would regain the lead in the third after freshman Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) walked and Gasco used a bunt single to move Hall over to second. The two would advance on a wild pitch and Hall would then score on a sacrifice fly by Cuebas.

Thomas More would load the bases in the bottom of the inning with no outs. Gasco would nearly pitch out of the inning before allowing a run to score on a wild pitch. Gasco recorded a strike out to end the threat as the game remained tied.

The Thunder wouldn't waste any time putting more runs on the board as they tacked on two in the fourth. With two outs, Trine would get two runners on when sophomore Jamie Lydick (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) reached base after a Saints error and senior Kelly Tresick (Clinton Township, Mich./L'Anse Creuse) walked. Searles would come up big for the Thunder delivering a two-run double to deep left field giving Trine back the lead.

But once again, the lead would be short lived as Thomas More would answer right back plating two runs of their own, also with two outs.

Neither team would score in the fifth, sixth, or seventh innings sending the game into extra innings.

With the International Tie-Breaker in effect, the Thunder started the top of the eighth with Daniels on second. Lydick would attempt to sacrifice Daniels to third, but was able to beat out the throw giving the Thunder runners on the corners. Lydick would steal second before Tresick would walk on four straight pitches to load the bases. Trine was able to push across a run when the Saints catcher was unable to come up with the ball on a force play at the plate allowing the Thunder to take the lead.

The Thunder were able to keep the Saints runner that was placed on second to score as Trine was able to get the three outs needed to seal the victory.

Gasco earned her first win of the season going all eight innings while tying a career-high with 13 strikeouts. Gasco allowed just one earned run while giving up six walks and eight hits.

The sister tandem of Gasco and Searles led the Thunder at the dish as each picked up three hits. Cuebas and Lydick also had solid games at the plate as each went 2-for-4. Lydick also led Trine with two runs scored. Cuebas and Searles led the offense with two RBI's each as Searles also picked up two stolen bases in the game.

Trine will take on 13th ranked Coast Guard tomorrow (March 7) at 1:00 p.m. before playing Sage at 3:00 p.m.