BLOOMINGTON, Ill. – The Trine University softball team earned a day off with a convincing 5-1 victory over second seeded Rowan University. The Thunder overcame an early deficit on the back of two more home runs and another dominating pitching performance.
"It was just a great game, both teams came out with a lot of energy," Head Coach Donnie Danklefsen opened his press conference after the game, "Rowan is one of the best teams in the country and they beat us pretty bad a few years ago in this tournament.
Alexis Michon looked human in the opening at bat of the contest, giving up a solo shot to and the early lead to the Profs. She quickly settled back into form, escaping on a strikeout and two putouts.
The lead was short lived for the visitors, with the Thunder bats finding purchase in the bottom of the first. Karley Trine came up with a line drive double before scoring on a three-base error forced by Debbie Hill. Macy Rocha continued her strong week with a single to centerfield that brought Hill in for the 2-1 lead.
The minimal lead would have been enough, with Michon settling into a dominate performance. She ultimately allowed just the one run on three hits, while striking out ten. The showing was even more impressive when stacked against the strength of Rowan, a team that had only struck out 139 times this season, approximately 2.73 times per game. It is just the second time this season the Profs were set down ten times in a game.
"Before the game today, Debbie [Hill] and I talked and I admitted that I was really nervous and had the jitters," said Michon, "She just told me to go out there and do my job. It was a good reminder that I know my teammates will have my back out there. After that first home run I told myself that would be the only run they were getting."
The Thunder added insurance in the third and fifth innings. Rocha came up with her second homer in two days in the third, while Tyra Marcum had a towering shot to right field in the fifth. The sophomore's hit plated a pair and made the score its final at 5-1.
"I was getting a lot of changeups, which is a mental adjustment that I have to make," said Marcum, "But at the end of the day I just have to see the ball and be myself. My team needs me and I am here for a reason. I just have to remember that in the box."
The win gives the team a 43-5 overall record and earns Trine a bye tomorrow, Saturday, May 31.
"We've never had a day off at the finals site because of weather," continued Danklefsen, "It's going to be nice to go ahead and relax a little bit. I think it is going to be very beneficial for a few nagging injuries going forward."
The Thunder will await the results of tomorrow's games to find out their opponent for Sunday, June 1. They do know that they will play at 1:30 p.m. CT / 2:30 p.m. ET on that day. One win will secure the team a spot in the championships series which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, June 3.
