ANGOLA, Ind. - It was the offensive explosion they have been looking for as the Trine University softball team defeated Hope College 9-1 in six innings and 15-4. The 21st ranked Thunder improve to 23-5 on the season and 5-1 in the MIAA to extend their lead in the conference.

It didn't take the Thunder long to get things going in game one as they put up five runs in the second inning. Junior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey), freshman Tori Cuebas (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield) and junior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) led off the inning with consecutive singles. Then with one out, junior Lindsey Wise (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) reach on an error allowing pinch hitter sophomore Paxton Fleming (Boulder City, Nev./Boulder City) to come to the plate.

Fleming would come up big for Trine a she delivered a bases clearing double to deep left field. Freshman Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) would single to center, scoring Wise, but would be thrown out trying to advance to second to end the inning.

Hope would score their only run of the game in the fourth inning as two walks were followed by a double to center.

The Thunder would answer right back in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) led off the inning with the second home run of the season, a shot to left center. Wise would single and advance to second on a Hope throwing error. Senior Kelly Tresick (Clinton Township, Mich./L'Anse Creuse) would lay down a sacrifice bunt, moving Wise to third. Searles would ground out to the shortstop, allowing Wise to score.

It looked like the game would go into the seventh inning, but the Thunder made the game come to an early halt as they plated two runs in the bottom of the sixth to end the game by the mercy rule.

The Trine offense came up with 12 hits in game one as Searles, Cuebas, Belote and Wise all collected two hits in the opener. Searles and Fleming each drove in two runs while Wise led Trine with three runs scored.

On the mound for Trine, Gasco had an outstanding game, allowing just two hits in six innings while giving up just the one earned run. Gasco earned four strikeouts while walking just two, both of which came in the fourth inning. The win improved Gasco to 14-2 on the season.

Game two started out fast for the Thunder once again as they put another five spot on the board in the top of the second. Daniels led off the inning with a walk, and with one out, Wise would single up the middle. Tresick and Searles would follow suit with a back-to-back singles.

Hope would bring in a new pitcher, but freshman Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) went right after the new arm, taking the ninth pitch of the at bat almost over the wall, as it hit just below the top of the wall in left center for a double. After Gasco would single, Belote would score Hall from third on a ground out to the pitcher.

Hope would score a run in the bottom of the inning after a leadoff walk was followed by a double to left field.

Trine would add a run in the fourth. Tresick would reach on a one-out bunt. Searles would then reach on a fielder's choice as Tresick was out at second. Hall would then reach on a Hope error, allowing Searles to score.

Hope made a comeback in the fourth as they plated three runs in the inning. Another leadoff walk followed by a double, started things for the Flying Dutch. Then, in the fifth, Trine would escape damage as Hope was threatening with a runner on second, but freshman Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) was able to get the Flying Dutch batter to line into a double play.

The Trine bats went quiet the next two innings, but made a major comeback in the top of the seventh as they put the game away. The Thunder plated nine runs in the inning on eight hits and nearly batted around the order twice as they plated seven of their runs with two outs in the inning.

The biggest blows of the inning came on a double down the left field line by Tresick that scored two and a three-run home run by Belote to deep center.

Game two saw the Thunder collect 17 hits by seven different starters. Leading the way was Searles who went 4-5 with three RBI and three runs scored. Her sister, Gasco, also had a stellar game at the dish going a perfect 4-4 with two runs scored and an RBI. Tresick had her best game of the season going 3-4 with two RBI and scoring twice. Belote also collected two hits while driving in four and scoring twice. Hall was the final Trine player to collect multiple hits, going 2-5 with two runs scored and two RBI.

In the circle for the Thunder, Searles got the no decision after going three inning and allowing three runs (all earned) on five hits with a strikeout. Fuller came on to shut down Hope in the fourth to improve her record to 3-1 on the years despite allowing a run. Gasco came on the pitch the final two innings, earning her third save of the year pitching the final three innings, allowing just three hits while striking out two.

The sweep for the Thunder marks the first time since 2009 they have done so in conference play over the Flying Dutch.

Trine will take a few days off before returning to conference action at Saint Mary's on April 17 for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader.