SALEM, Va. –Trine University will make their second consecutive trip to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship Series after defeating Belhaven University 5-2 on Sunday, May 31.
The Thunder kept with their patter, scoring quickly in the second matchup of the week against the Blazers. After Whitney Duell led off with a single, Karley Trine hit a home run to left center field. The homer was the seventh of the season for the senior.
"I won't lie, I didn't know right off the bat that it was going out," admitted Jo Trine, "I hit it and I was just running. I just wanted to move the runner and work toward an early run."
Belhaven answered the long shot with a homer of their own in the top of the third inning, cutting the lead in half at 2-1. Trine had a quick answer with Macy Rocha coming up with a two-RBI single through the middle of the infield in the bottom of the same inning.
Tyra Marcum added an insurance run in the fifth inning with a solo shot to left field. That home run was the 76th of the season for the team, tying the program record set in 2013. It also marked the fourth different member of the team to tally a home run in Salem.
"We talked about early in the year that we won without home runs. We found ways to win without them," said Head Coach Donnie Danklefsen, "Its obviously great to tie the record, and we are proud of this team for that, but it means nothing if we don't finish the next couple of games."
Belhaven scored one more in the sixth inning to cut into the lead again, making the score 5-2 for the seventh.
Kami Arnett finally left the circle after that inning, finishing her day with six inning so of work. She allowed the two runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four. Ultimately she earned her seventh win of the season. Alex Rodriguez entered for the top of the seventh with a chance for a save, she did it by forcing a groundout and two flyballs.
"Defensively our team did amazing behind me," said Arnett following the game, "The support from everyone out there helps me a lot."
"All I heard this offseason was that I lost too much starting pitching," continued Danklefsen, "We knew we had the pieces coming in to be successful we just had to piece them together. The pitchers really bought into that."
The Thunder improve to 41-6 overall following the victory. They now turn their attention to the best of three Championship Series, their fourth in the last five seasons. They are set to face the University of Redlands beginning on Tuesday, June 2 at 11 a.m. The second game is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Wednesday, June 3 with a decisive game three to follow if necessary.
"I think experience comes into play now, but Redlands is not scared of anybody now," finished Danklefsen, "They impose their will on you and I have a lot of respect for that team. We have two very styles and I can't wait to get out there on Tuesday and find out which one is going to win out."
