OLIVET, Mich. – The Trine University softball team returns home with two run-rule victories following a day of offensive explosion. The team defeated their hosts from Olivet College 15-0 in five innings before dropping Saint Mary's College by the score of 8-0 in six innings on the neutral field.

The scoring started early in the first game of the day, as the Thunder loaded the bases for sophomore Amanda Prather (Indianapolis, Ind. / Roncalli) who took full advantage with her fifth home run of the season, the first grand slam of her career. The team would add another run later in the inning when sophomore Ellie Trine (Kokomo, Ind. / Kokomo) recorded an RBI walk as the team had loaded the bases again.

The team would add to their lead in the second inning with four runs and the fourth inning with six runs to take the contest 15-0. Prather would end the contest with seven runners batted in, while Trine added three, senior Mercede Daugherty (Watervilet, Mich. / Watervilet) finished with two. Junior Taylor Murdock (Lapel, Ind. / Lapel) and freshman Giselle Riley (Temecula, Calif. / Temecula Valley) each added another RBI to round out the scoring.

Freshman Lauren Clausen (Elk Grove, Ill. / Elk Grove) recorded the victory in the circle for the team allowing just three hits in the game while striking out two.

The team turned in an encore performance in the second game of the day. The Thunder started their scoring in the second inning when they plated four runs. Four different members of the team brought runners home in the inning including Trine, junior Lexi Clark (Niles, Mich. / Edwardsburg) and freshmen Scarlett Elliott (Utica, Ohio / Utica) and Madey Flick (Wheatfield, Ind. / Kankakee Valley).

Daugherty would bring home two more in the third inning with a homer of her own. She would then walk off the game with a double in the bottom of the sixth inning following a single by Clark which brought the lead to 7-0.

The 8-0 victory was secured defensively by sophomore Anna Koeppl (Perrysburg, Ohio / Perrysburg) who allowed just three hits and one walk while striking out a pair as she recorded her eighth win of the season.

The team improves to 22-6 overall following the pair of wins. They will return to Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association play when they return to Olivet for a doubleheader against the Comets on Tuesday, April 20. The first game is scheduled to begin at 3 p.m.