ANGOLA, Ind. – Trine University softball is one win away from making the program's sixth trip to the final site of the NCAA Division III Softball Championship after defeating visiting University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point by the score of 7-0 in today's Angola, Indiana Super Regional contest.
The Thunder's senior ace, Alexis Michon, took to the circle today and lived up to the top-billing. She was nearly untouchable through seven innings, allowing just one hit and walking one while striking out seven Pointer batters. The win is her 22nd of the season and the ninth shutout.
Offensively the team needed a bit of time to figure out the NFCA All-Region pitcher from Wis.-Stevens Point, but in the third inning they did just that. Emma Lee led off the inning with a deep fly ball to left field that caused an error against the wall and put her on third base. Tyra Marcum followed up by crushing a ball down the right field line for the first runs of the game.
A few batters later with runners on the corners, Emma Beyer recorded an RBI of her own with a single to right field. The next two batters reached on balls for the Thunder, with Keelin Wheaton benefiting from a bases loaded situation for the RBI.
The team added to their lead in the fifth. After two quick outs, Ainsley Phillips walked before stealing second to sit in scoring position for Whitney Duell. The NFCA Division III Freshman of the Year finalist doubled to right field bringing in the run. Lee brought in the second run after forcing an at first base. Kennedy Huckeby finished off the scoring for the Thunder in the bottom of the sixth with a long single to centerfield that scored Beyer from second.
"It's always good to get the win and it's the easier path when you get game one," said Head Coach Donnie Danklefsen after the game, "But I thought we could have played a lot better, especially with runners on base."
In what was the major weakness of the contest, the Thunder left 10 on the basepaths through the seven innings, including a pair of bases loaded situations.
"Our message this postseason has been to stay in the present. One pitch, one at-bat at a time," continued Danklefsen, "They [Stevens Point] will play better tomorrow and we have to play better to match them. We aren't going to fear them, but we have to respect them."
After the victory, the Trine finishes the day 40-5 overall. It marks the third-straight, and fifth total, season that the program has reached the 40-win mark. They will look to secure the Super Regional title tomorrow, Friday, May 23. Game two of the series is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m., with a third game following at 3:30 p.m. if the Pointers take the first.
