NOTRE DAME, Ind. - It was another conference sweep for the 21st ranked Trine University softball team as they went on the road and defeated St. Mary's 7-1 and 6-1 on the afternoon. The two wins improve the Thunder to 25-5 on the season and remain in first place in the MIAA with a 7-1 record.

The Thunder came out ready to go in game one as they plated two runs in the top of the first. Trine loaded the bases as senior Kelly Tresick (Clinton Township, Mich./L'Anse Creuse) led off the inning getting hit by a pitch and freshman Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) followed with a single. Fellow freshman Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) walked to load the bases. After a fielder's choice, a bad throw to the plate allowed Searles to score the first run of the game. Then, with two outs, junior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) drew a walk to score fellow junior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey).

Trine would tack on another run in the second as Tresick singled with one out and Searles reached on a fielder's choice. Back-to-back singles by Hall and Gasco would score Searles to extend the Thunder lead.

Trine would continue to hit the ball well as with one out in the third, Harris would deliver her fourth home run of the season, a solo shot, on a drive to right center. Junior Lindsay Wise (Oregon, Ohio/Clay) would single with two outs and Tresick would deliver a double to left, to score her.

Scoring in consecutive innings would continue for the Thunder in the fourth as Gasco, freshman Tori Cuebas (Greenfield, Ind./Greenfield) and junior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) led off the inning with consecutive singles. Gasco would then score on an error by the Belles shortstop.

St. Mary's would score their only run of the game in the bottom of the inning on a two-out double.

The Thunder would cement the win with a run in the sixth as Harris started things with a two-out double to left field. Pinch runner, fellow junior Andee Browne (Grand Blanc, Mich./Grand Blanc), would come around to score on a single by sophomore Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton).

Gasco went all seven innings on the mound, allowing just the one earned run on six hits while striking out seven and walking five.

Gasco, Harris, Searles and Tresick all collected two hits in the game. Harris and Daniels led the way with two RBI while Searles was the only player to score twice.

The nightcap didn't start nearly as well for the Thunder as it started off as a pitcher's duel through the first four innings as freshman Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) didn't allow a hit until the top of the fifth with two outs.

After stranding a runner on third base in the fourth inning, the Thunder bats exploded in the fifth, scoring all six of their runs. Wise got things started with a one-out double to left. Cuebas would step in to pinch-hit and deliver her third home run of the season to straightaway center. After Searles was retired, Hall would step in and follow in the footsteps of Cuebas and smashed her first collegiate home run to right center.

Gasco would step up and deliver a double to left center and then Belote hit a rocket over the third base bag for a double, scoring Gasco. After Harris walked, and was pinch run for by sophomore Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard), Daniels would knock a double to left scoring both Belote and Craig.

St. Mary's would plate their only run of the game in the sixth after a leadoff double. The Thunder would turn their second double play of the day, but it allowed the run would score from third.

The Belles would threaten in the seventh, getting two runners on, but Gasco would come on to retire the final two batters of the game to seal the win.

Fuller had a stellar game on the mound pitching 6 1/3 innings, allowing just the one run while giving up seven hits and striking out three. Gasco pitched the final 2/3 of the inning, striking out both batters she faced.

At the dish, Wise and Gasco both collected a pair of hits. Cuebas and Daniels knocked in two runners each.

Trine will take a day off before returning to action on April 19 as they host Olivet College for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader.