COLUMBUS, Ga. - At the first day of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Leadoff Classic, the 11th ranked Trine University squad began their weekend with a split. The Thunder fell to No. 8 Illinois Wesleyan 12-11 then came back in the nightcap to defeat Neumann 20-3. The Thunder are now 7-1 on the season.

In the opener, both teams struggled with their pitching, as the bats came alive for the highest scoring game of the day. Illinois Wesleyan scored in each inning, and jumped out to an 8-0 lead after the top of the third inning. The Thunder came roaring back in the bottom half of the third scoring six runs. Trine scored four of their runs with two outs, two of which came on a double by sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). The Titans would score a run in each of the final four innings. The Thunder added a run in the sixth on a leadoff double by Harris who scored on a groundout by junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard).

Trailing 12-7 going in the bottom of the 7th, the Thunder were looking to make a comeback. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) doubled with one-out and scored on a sacrifice fly. Then with two outs, senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) singled to plate a run and junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) singled and scored two more to pull the Thunder within one. Senior Ashton Morgan (Berne, Ind./South Adams) was called upon to pinch-hit and nearly came through as she hit a bullet down the third base line, but was snagged for the final out.

Game two saw the Thunder come out with a bitter taste in their mouths from the earlier loss and Neumann paid the price. Trine's offense got things started quickly as they put up four runs in the first inning, two of which came on doubles by Hall and senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey). Neumann would add a run in the bottom of the inning, but without a hit.

Trine left no doubt in the second inning as they plated 7 runs including three off the bat of Gasco as she hit her fourth home run of the season. After back-to-back walks, Belote knocked her own three-run shot down the left field line. After Neumann loaded the bases again in the bottom half of the inning, freshman pitcher Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) struck out the final two batters of the inning to squash Neumann's rally.

The Thunder would score two in the third on a two-run triple by Hall. Trine added five more in the fourth inning, three of which came with two outs. Hall tripled again, scoring two and Gasco singled to drive in Hall.

The offense wasn't done yet for Trine as they tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth inning. After a leadoff double by Rachel Harris, she would score on a Neumann error. Then freshman Riley Larkin (Plainfield, Ind./Avon) singled to score Trine's final run.

Trine will face Mississippi College at 12:30 p.m. in their final pool play game before bracket play begins. The Thunder still have a chance to advance to the Gold bracket but must win to have a chance