ANGOLA, Ind. – The Trine University softball team dropped the opening game of their 2026 NCAA Division III Softball Championship Super Regional by the score of 8-2. The defense struggled against Muhlenberg College's station-to-station strategy that ended with the visitors posting 15 hits, all singles.
The Mules loaded the bases in the first inning and ultimately brought in the run on a fielder's choice to third base. Despite the struggles early, Sydney Adolfson settled into a rhythm and held the opposition scoreless in the second, third, fourth and fifth innings.
The Thunder responded quickly on offense, plating a pair in the second. Karley Trine reached on a fielder's choice before moving to third on a single from Tyra Marcum. Marcum in turn advanced on a passed ball, giving Debbie Hill an at-bat with two runners in scoring position. She lined a ball off the right center fence that brought in both runs.
Muhlenberg chased Adolfson from the circle in the sixth, plating four runs to build the 5-2 lead. They added three more runs against Kami Arnett in the final inning to set their final lead at 8-2.
Adolfson finished the game with five-and-a-third innings of work, allowing four earned runs on eight hits. She added two strikeouts. Arnett took the final one-and-two-thirds inning allowing three runs on seven hits and a walk. She also had a pair of strikeouts.
Hill was the lone bright spot for the team on offense, going two-for-three with two runners batted in.
Trine falls to 36-6 after the loss. They will now need a pair of wins tomorrow, Friday, May 22 to continue their season with a trip to Salem, Virginia, the final site of the 2026 NCAA Division III Softball Championship. The Thunder will serve as the visiting team on the scoreboard in tomorrow's first contest which is scheduled for 1 p.m. The second game would begin around 3:30 p.m. if necessary.
