ANGOLA, Ind. – Trine University secured their fifth straight Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) Softball Tournament, presented by Collegiate Credit Union, championship with a split against Calvin University.
The Knights forced a decisive game seven by taking the first game of the day 9-1 in five innings, but the Thunder responded with a 7-5 come from behind victory to secure the title and an automatic berth in the 2026 NCAA Division III Softball Championship.
Today's opener went wrong from the start, with Calvin scoring four runs in the top of the first and then another in the second to build a 5-0 lead. Emma Lee notched the lone run of the game for Trine with a solo shot to left field in the bottom of the second. The Knights added four more in the final three innings to secure the 9-1 victory at the end of five.
Things continued to look grim in the start of the second, with the Knights' Natalie Bush securing a two-run homer in the bottom of the first for the 2-0 lead. MIAA Most Valuable Pitcher Brooke Hunderman supported those runs with three perfect innings of work.
The momentum finally began to shift in the third inning when Abbie Geib caught a runner at second, silencing the visiting crowd. The team built on it in the second with Tyra Marcum recording an RBI double before scampering home on a single by Debbie Hill. The pair of runs tied the game at two.
In the other half of the frame, Sydney Adolfson recorded three quick outs. After the opening salvo the junior had settled into a rhythm that led to five scoreless innings of work.
The Thunder added to their lead in the fifth. After the first two runners reached base, Karley Trine brought them in with a double to right center. She scored in turn on another RBI hit by Marcum. Hill then cleared the bases with a home run to left center that made the score 7-3.
Calvin wasn't ready to go quietly, mounting a comeback in the seventh inning. They utilized multiple infield hits to bring three runs and make the score 7-5, chasing Adolfson from the circle. Kami Arnett entered the game with one out and runners on first and second. She recorded two quick outs, the second helped by Marcum who chased a foul ball to the dugout fence.
Adolfson finished the game with the win after her six-and-a-third innings of work. She allowed five runs on 11 hits and two walks while striking out a pair. Arnett earns the first save of her career with the two outs of work.
The Thunder improve to 32-4 overall after the split. They will learn the details of their trip to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship tournament during the selection show which is scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday, May 11. That show will broadcast on NCAA.com.
