ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University softball team dominated the first game of the 2024 NCAA Division III Softball Championship Angola, Indiana Super Regional, defeating the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh 9-0 in five innings.

"I thought our kids were just really focused today. They came out on a mission and followed the gameplan to a tee," said head coach Donnie Danklefsen, "We asked them to be aggressive at the plate and it made for some great at-bats. When the bottom of our lineup produces like that, we are really tough."

The Thunder offense found their groove right from the start. Ellie Trine led off the game with a single before Karley Trine reached on a dropped fly ball in centerfield. Debbie Hill brought in the first run a on a single to right center before Macy Rocha brought in another on a ground out. Emma Lee finished off the scoring in the first with a double to right center that made the score 3-0.

Scarlett Elliott opened scoring in the second with a monster shot over the left field fence. Ainsley Phillips followed up with a single before coming home on a single by the younger Trine a few at bats later. Tyra Marcum brought in another run with a hit of her own before Hill grounded out to score the final run of the inning building the lead to 7-0.

Elliott reached with one out in the third, making Phillips homer, which also went to left field, worth a pair of RBIs. The only runs of the inning gave the team a 9-0 lead and put the Titans in danger of the run-rule.

The Thunder pitching secured the game. Alexis Michon was perfect in her four innings of work, after starting the game for the team. She ended her day with five strikeouts. Lauren Clausen entered in relief for the final inning and closed out the game allowing just one hit.

"[Michon] was very focused and locked in today," said Phillips after the game, "I knew from the second we walked into the bullpen that she was going to be unstoppable."

The Thunder improve to 43-3 following the victory and more importantly they are now just one win away from a third-straight trip to the final site of the NCAA Division III Tournament. Last season the team won their first national championship in Marshall, Texas, which is serving as host again for this year's event.

"I think we need to just go with the same plan we had today," said Elliott, "We need trust our talent and trust our process. I think we will be confident again and keep the energy up."

The two teams will face off again tomorrow, Friday, May 24 at 1 p.m. Trine will serve as the visiting team on the scoreboard for game two, with UW-Oshkosh batting in the bottom half of the inning. A second game would follow at 3:30 p.m. if necessary.