Thunder Softball News

5/21 - Fuller Named First-Ever Academic All-American

TOWSON, Md. - Trine University sophomore softball pitcher Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) became just the third student-athlete in school history to be named a Capital One Academic All-America®. Fuller was named to the Division III Softball Third Team, as selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

The Capital One Division III Academic All-America® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division III national governance structures, to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2012-13 and Division III Academic All-America® teams program.

An exercise science major, Fuller currently holds a 3.88 grade point average and was one of just three sophomores named to the first-, second-, or third-teams. The right-hander stepped up in her second season for the Thunder with a 15-1 record, including getting the victory in the MIAA Tournament championship game and a win over Mount Union in the NCAA Angola Softball Regional. Fuller was also named to the All-MIAA First Team at the conclusion of the season.

In the circle, Fuller led the Trine pitching staff with 136 strikeouts in 104 innings. Fuller also finished the season tied for the team lead with five shutouts, which ranks 59th in the nation, over 17 starts including a no-hitter on March 5, 2013 against Beloit (IL). Batters hit just .174 off Fuller who finished the year with an Earned Run Average of 1.48 while also recording a save. Fuller currently ranks seventh in Division III allowing just 4.38 hits per seven innings, 15th with 9.2 strikeouts per seven innings and 32nd in ERA.

Fuller becomes the first non-football player to earn Capital One Academic All-America® honors. Former football players Jeremy Howard (2009) and Tyler Terry (2010) were previously named to the second teams.

A full list of the Capital One Academic All-America® Division III Softball Team can be found here: link

To be eligible for Academic All-America® consideration, a student-athlete must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative G.P.A. of 3.30 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director.

Since the program’s inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 18,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA, covering all NCAA championship sports.

For more information about the Academic All-America® Teams program, please visit www.cosida.com.

5/16 - Searles, Gasco Named Trine's First Ever All-American’s

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After breaking school and conference records and leading the nation in several offensive categories in 2013, the Trine University softball team had a first in program history as the sibling duo of Carly Searles and Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) became Trine’s first All-American’s in the 28-year history of the program.

Announced by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA), Thursday from the Florian Gardens Event Center in Eau Claire, Wis., site of the NCAA Division III National Championship, Searles was named an NFCA First Team All-American while Gasco earned a Second Team NFCA All-American nod. The duo also made Trine the first team since Hope in 2005 to have multiple players selected as All-American’s in the same season. According to the list of NFCA All-American on their website, since the selections began in 1986, Searles and Gasco become the first pair of siblings to earn All-American honors in the same season while at the same institution.

Searles becomes the first player from the MIAA since 2009 to earn First Team All-American honors and the 15th selection in conference history. The sophomore outfielder currently ranks second in Division III with 1.54 runs per game and 10 triples. Searles also currently sits third in triples per game (.24), fifth in stolen bases per game (.98), 32nd in on base percentage (.534) and 45th in batting average (.464). In just her second season, Searles has already broken a 25-year old school record with 21 career triples. Searles also set single-season school records this year with 63 runs, 40 stolen bases, and a .464 batting average.

During the 2013 MIAA conference season, Searles became just the third Trine player to win the batting title, and the second consecutive following her sister in 2012. Searles came just .012 away from setting a new batting average record while breaking the all-time MIAA record with 31 hits and seven triples.

Honored as a pitcher, Gasco earns her first All-American honor after being named to the NFCA All-Central Region First Team for three straight seasons. The senior pitcher and designated player leads the nation with 19 home runs and .44 home runs per game. Gasco also ranks second with 1.47 RBIs per game and a 1.083 slugging percentage. Offensively, Gasco also sits eighth with seven triples, 18th with .16 triples per game, 19th with 1.28 runs per game, 43rd with an on base percentage of .525 and 76th with a .444 batting average.

The two-time MIAA Most Valuable Pitcher also ranks 18th in the nation with 18 wins, 24th allowing just 5.04 hits per game, 43rd with a 1.61 earned run average, 59th with five shutouts, 70th with 6.7 strikeouts per game and 94th with 121 total strikeouts.

In her four seasons at Trine, Gasco rewrote almost every pitching record and nearly half the batting records. Gasco set 14 career records, seven pitching and seven batting, while also breaking or tying 10 single-season records, five pitching and five batting. She also became the first Trine pitcher to throw multiple no-hitters, including two in 2013, one of which came in conference play at home against Saint Mary’s (IN) on April 26.

To be eligible for an NFCA All-American award, the players must have been selected to an NFCA All-Region First Team. In all, 120 student-athletes were eligible to be named an NFCA All-American, but only 15 student-athletes were honored on each of the three teams - First, Second and Third Team NFCA All-American.

5/12 - Six Softball Players Named NFCA All-Central Region

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After another outstanding record-breaking season, the Trine University softball team received recognition from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) as all six of their nominations were named to the All-Central Region team. Trine’s six selections were more than the rest of the MIAA conference combined (five).

After putting up record-breaking offensive numbers this season, the Thunder had four of their six honorees named to the All-Central Region First Team including MIAA Most Valuable Pitcher senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) and her sister, sophomore outfielder Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey), along with senior first baseman Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) and sophomore designated player Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers).

MIAA Most Valuable Position Player senior catcher Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) was named to the second team for the second straight season and sophomore third baseman Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover), sister of Lauren, was named to the third team.

The Thunder were one of just four schools to have four players named first team all-region and one of just six schools to have all six of their nominations earn first, second, or third team honors.

It marks the third straight year and fourth time in the past five seasons that the Thunder have had multiple All-Region selections. Only one other school, John Carroll with four, had more than two players named All-Central Region.

For the third straight year, Gasco was named an NFCA First Team honoree. After being named a third team at-large selection in 2010, Gasco finished her career becoming the first Thunder player to be named a three-time NFCA All-Region First Team selection. Trine’s previous other first team selections were Kara Graham in 2009 and Mackenzie Peffley in 2001, when Trine was a member of the NAIA.

Lauren Harris was named an all-region selection for the second time in her career as she was named to the third team in 2011. Searles was also named to the third team a season ago.

The four first team selections by the Thunder marks the first time since Hope in 2005 than an MIAA school has had four players honored as All-Central Region First Team selections. It’s also the first time in a decade, Alma in 2003, that an MIAA school placed all six of their nominations on the all-region team and is just the fifth time since the NFCA began the program in 1987 (1996, Alma and Hope; 1995, Hope)

The 2013 NFCA All-Region teams featured 159 different schools placing at least one student-athlete on an NFCA All-Region team, as announced today by the Association.

A complete list of All-Region honors can be found by clicking here.

5/11 - Thunder’s Postseason Run Comes to an End

ANGOLA, Ind. - Trine University's championship hopes ended in game 12 of the 2013 NCAA Division III Angola Softball Regional as they fell to Anderson University 10-6.

The loss ended one of the Thunder's best seasons with a 38-5 record while also winning the MIAA tournament last weekend and had captured the conference title.

"I know this is the best ball club that ever played at this university," Trine head coach Donnie Danklefsen said. "I'm so proud of these four seniors and one day they'll appreciate what they did, too," he said of the foursome who made their final home appearance. Seniors Sarah Belote, Andi Gasco, Lauren Harris and Ashton Morgan all agreed it had been a great season despite the abrupt end.

"Obviously, it's not how we expected it to end, but we can't regret how the season went, either," Harris said.

The Ravens were fueled by a homer in the second and six runs in the third that kept Trine trailing after them. Trine stopped the Ravens from scoring in the fourth and sixth, but failed to warm up their bats.

Anderson scored off an error in the top of the first inning to take the lead, 1-0, when Trine tallied two hits, but no runs and two runners were thrown out at the plate.

In the second, Raven senior Natalie Moorhouse made the team's sole hit of the inning count when she cracked a home run to left center.

Trine answered that run when sophomore Leah Hall singled to third. Belote would reach on an error that also allowed Hall to score.

The Ravens cushioned their lead in the third, scoring six runs on six hits.

"We got off hitting-wise to as quick a start as we did on day one with Trine," Anderson head coach Tony Holloway said.

Trine freshman pitcher Justine Robles started on the mound for Trine, throwing 2 1/2 innings before Fuller relieved her. Gasco got in on the action, too, coming in for the sixth and seventh inning and allowing just one hit.

"I credit their pitching staff; they came in and got them out of some jams," Anderson's Holloway said of Trine.

But Trine didn't leave everything to the pitching staff as sophomore Amy Newell singled in the third to bring in a runner, leaving the score at 8-2.

Trine relied on the wheels of pinch runner freshman Riley Larkin to take Harris' place after she singled to second in the fourth inning. Larkin was quick to steal second and advanced to third on a wild pitch. Belote singled up the middle and Larkin buzzed home.

Trine kept the Ravens from scoring in the fourth but the Ravens scored two runs on two hits and one error in the top of the fifth, bringing the score to 10-2.

In the bottom of the inning, Gasco tripled to bring in Newell, who had singled.

The Thunder gained some ground in the seventh when Searles walked and later scored on an Anderson error and Newell singled and scored on a hit by Hall, respectively.

"Until that last out, I still believed we could pull through," Gasco said.

"They beat us, you can't take that away from them," Danklefsen said. "But I would pick this team anytime."

5/11 - Hall’s Grand Slam Leads Thunder to Victory

ANGOLA, Ind. - Trine University hammed two home runs by the fourth inning to secure a commanding lead over Capital University as it claimed game 10, 12-5, of the 2013 NCAA Angola Softball Regional.

The scoring started early and remained 5-5 until the fourth inning when Trine exploded with seven runs, four thanks to sophomore Leah Hall who homered with bases loaded. It was Hall’s third home run of the season with the first two coming in the last two weeks of league play. Neither team managed a run after that.

Trine won with senior pitcher Andi Gasco on the mound, her first appearance since the opener when she was replaced on the mound by sophomore Bree Fuller after multiple illegal pitches.

“I was just happy we were going to get some runs,” Hall said with a smile after the game. “We trust each other to get base hits and all of us put together get runs on the board.”

The scoring started in the first inning when Trine brought in two runners. Sophomore Carly Searles was walked by Capital pitcher sophomore Brooke Billings and then stole second. Freshman Kaitlyn Clark singled to the shortstop, advancing Searles to third. Sophomore Amy Newell grounded out, bringing in Searles. Senior Andi Gasco then doubled to left center to bring in Clark.

Capital answered with four runs. Senior Devan Boggs singled to center. Sophomore LeAnna Cotton reached first on fielding error and Boggs advanced to third. Sophomore Maura Rose reached when her suicide squeeze brought home Boggs. Senior Lexi Majoy then homered to left center and upped the score to 4-2 in Capital’s favor.

The second inning saw Trine’s Searles single to right to bring in two runs.

Capital scored a run in the second to take a 5-4 lead, but it would be the last for the Crusaders.

The Thunder batted around in the fourth as they scored seven times to secure the game. After Hall’s big home run, the Crusaders replaced Billings on the mound with sophomore Alyssa Patznick.

With Patznick on the mound, the Thunder’s scoring was stopped but it was too little too late.

Trine head coach Donnie Danklefsen commended his pitcher and team for strong batting.

“Gasco made really good adjustments and we had good batting,” he said in reference to the illegal pitches on Thursday when No. 1-seed Trine fell to No. 8-seed Anderson University, 5-1.

“The seniors came together to help Andi overcome it,” Hall said. “Andi’s been working really hard…and Lauren (Harris) watched her pitch” while other seniors also pulled together for Gasco.

It took two or three innings before Gasco got comfortable, Danklefsen said, noting that assistant coach Dennis Smith worked with her.

Pitching was also on Danklefsen’s mind as he looks ahead to this afternoon’s game against Anderson. “I imagine we’ll see Frazier,” he said, referring to Anderson pitcher freshman Sami Frazier. The Thunder will “attack in different ways and make them come to us,” he said. “Hopefully, we’ll get a better start this time.”

Anderson lost, 6-2, to Aurora University on Friday afternoon. After defeating Trine on Thursday, head coach Tony Holloway said he would not count Trine out, and he was right.

5/10 - Lauren Harris Leads Trine to Stave off Elimination

ANGOLA, Ind. - Trine University’s softball team appeared eager to put Thursday’s loss behind as the Thunder got off to a stronger start this morning when it faced the University of Mount Union Purple Raiders. A homer and RBI by Trine senior Lauren Harris helped put the No. 1-seeded Thunder past the No. 5-seed Raiders, 6-4, during the fifth game of the 2013 NCAA Division III Angola Softball Regional.

Trine lit up the scoreboard in the second inning with three runs. Lauren Harris hit a line drive past the shortstop to earn a double and bring in senior Andi Gasco - who was walked by Raiders pitcher Rachel McAninch and then stole second. Fleet-footed freshman Riley Larkin went in to run for Harris at second base. Sophomore Leah Hall got a walk, putting runners on first and second when senior Sarah Belote was out on a fly ball to center field.

Sophomore Rachel Harris was at bat when Larkin took advantage of an error to advance to third and then scoring. On out later, junior Haleigh Daniels drove one between first and second bases, reaching on an error as Hall scored on the play to lead 3-0.

In the third, Hall hit a double to bring in Gasco, who had hit a fly ball to left center for a double. Rachel Harris hit a fly ball past the shortstop and Hall scored the second run of the inning that ended 5-0 in Trine’s favor.

In the fifth Lauren Harris smacked Trine’s first homer of the tournament over the left field fence.

“Yesterday the whole team struggled as a group and we tried too hard to hit,” Harris said after the game. “When we have our first hitter get on, it’s a huge lift for us ¦ and we usually string hits together and score runs.”

The Raiders rallied and answered the homer with four runs off Trine pitcher Bree Fuller, a sophomore. Junior Shelby Carmichael started the effort with a double to left center. Senior Rachel Jesso hit a ball to left field and advanced to second on an error while Carmichael made her way to third. Senior Marissa Earl got on base with a walk, loading the bases. Senior Kristen Gromes had a sacrifice fly to center and scoring Carmichael. Junior Brittany Papp hit a double to left center to bring in two more run. Sophomore Leigh Siedlak tripled down the left field line to plate another run.

Before the fifth, “we just kept talking about continuing to do what we’ve done all year long … we’ve made comebacks,” Raiders head coach Sandy Douglas said.

With two outs for the Raiders, Trine brought in relief pitcher, freshman Justine Robles. She walked one batter before freshman Andi VanSickle hit a grounder to third and was thrown out at first.

Robles struck out the first two batters of the seventh to earn her first career save.

“We didn’t adjust to the pitcher,” Douglas said of Robles. “Our defense has been down a couple weeks this year but we came out in time to win the championship,” Douglas said of her team’s OAC tournament title that gave the Raiders an automatic bid into the NCAA Tournament.

“We regrouped well … but the last two innings we couldn’t produce runs,” Douglas said.

“Today was about being patient,” said Trine head coach Donnie Danklefsen. Thursday, Trine lost 5-1 to Anderson University, the team’s first loss since April 3 to Defiance College. “When she threw strikes we hit the ones we liked.”

Danklefsen said he changed his defense during the fifth in an effort to get “kids more comfortable to settle us down.”

His strategy appeared to pay off as the Thunder stopped the Raiders’ rally and hung on to win.

“It felt really good, especially having my team behind me,” Robles said. “I’m prepared and ready to go when they need me.”

Trine advances to the next round at noon Saturday, May 11, and will face the loser of the Allegheny College vs. Capital University game that’s scheduled to be played at 4 p.m. today.

The loss eliminated Mount Union rom the tournament.

5/9 - Thunder Fall in Regional Opener

ANGOLA, Ind. - In a stunning opening game of the 2013 NCAA Division III Angola Softball Regional, No. 8-seed Anderson University knocked off No. 1-seed Trine University by a score of 5-1, delivering the Trine Thunder its first loss since April 3 when it fell to Defiance in non-conference play.

Trine’s top pitcher and MIAA Most Valuable Pitcher of the Year senior Andi Gasco was called for multiple  illegal pitch in the first two innings, giving Anderson extra opportunities to plate four runs.

“We didn’t play our game,” Trine head coach Donnie Danklefsen told a reporter who asked if the illegal pitch calls lost Trine the game. “It was all on us.”

“You can’t discount the fact we hit the ball and we had runners,” Anderson head coach Tony Holloway said. “Trine’s a great program and they’re not done in this tournament yet.”

At 2 p.m. Friday May 10, the Ravens will play the winner of the Aurora vs. Mount Union game.

Trine plays again Friday as well at 10 a.m. when it takes on the loser of the of the Aurora-Mount Union game.

The Ravens came out strong, scoring two runs in the first inning. Trine managed a single in the first inning, but didn’t score.

The Raven bats were hot in the second inning as the team scored two more runs on three hits. The start of the inning looked promising for the Thunder as it caught two balls in the outfield to retire the first two Raven batters. Sophomore Samantha Steel got on base and advanced to second after senior Megan Ream hit a single. A double to left field by senior Amy Wuestefeld brought in a runner, bringing the score to 4-0.

Sophomore Bree Fuller replaced Gasco on the mound in the third inning and the Ravens did not score.

Trine scored its lone run in the bottom of the third when sophomore Carly Searles hit a single and made her way to third on a fly ball hit by teammate freshman Kaitlyn Clark. She steamed into third and scored after the Ravens failed to cover the plate.

Trine kept the Ravens from scoring until the seventh inning, when Steele bunted to get to first. Trine threw out the next batter, before Wuestefeld hit a single.  A single to centerfield by senior Katy Ogden left the bases loaded and sophomore Yardley Collett smacked a single to drive in a runner, bringing the score to 5-1.

Anderson starter, Right-hander freshman Sami Frazier was the winning pitcher allowing an earned run on three hits while striking out six.

5/7 - Trine’s Belote and Gasco Sweep MIAA MVP Honors

Nine players Named All-MIAA

ROYAL, OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) has announced that Trine University softball senior catcher Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) has been named the Most Valuable Position Player and senior right-hander Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) its Most Valuable Pitcher. It is the second straight season the Thunder have swept both MVP honors.

Trine becomes just the third team in MIAA history to have five players named to the All-MIAA First Team, the maximum allowed, the others came in 1999 with Alma and 1989 with Calvin. Joining Belote and Gasco as first team honorees are a trio of sophomores in Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton), Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) and Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey).

Trine also had four players named to the All-MIAA Second Team. They include senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover), junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton), sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) and freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central).

Belote finished the conference season setting an MIAA record with nine home runs while also sitting first in total bases (57), second in batting average (.521), runs scored (25), and RBIs (34. Belote was also second with a 1.188 slugging percentage, tied for third with a .589 on base percentage, was fifth in hits (25) and tied for sixth in walks (7). On April 6 at Olivet, Belote set NCAA Division III records with 14 RBIs and 19 total bases along with tying a record with four home runs in the game. It is the second straight season Belote has been named to the All-MIAA First Team. She was named to the second team in 2011.

Gasco, who was the first player ever to be named the Most Valuable Position Player and Pitcher in MIAA history last season, becomes just the fourth player in MIAA history to repeat as MVP, with the last coming in Leigh Ann LaFave from Alma in 2004-2005. Gasco led the conference with a near perfect 0.15 earned run average after allowing just one earned run over 45 2/3 innings of work, nearly setting an MIAA record in the process. Gasco led the conference with batters hitting just .124 off her, allowing just 19 hit, with a 9-0 record and finished second in the conference with 59 strikeouts. Gasco threw three shutouts including a no-hitter April 26 against Saint Mary’s. Gasco also threw a non-conference no-hitter April 3 against Defiance (OH). Gasco is the lone player this season to have been selected as an All-MIAA First Team member all four years.

Gasco was not only was outstanding on the mound, but at the plate as well. Gasco finished third in the conference with a .500 batting average while also being third with 26 runs and 53 total bases. Gasco tied for the league lead with 11 walks and was second in the league in triples behind her sister Carly Searles, with three, and tied for fourth with six homers. Gasco finished MIAA play second with a .603 on base percentage, third with a 1.104 slugging percentage, was tied for fifth with 22 RBIs and was sixth with 24 hits.

Fuller, a right-handed pitcher, finished the MIAA season fifth with 51 strikeouts in just 36 innings. Fuller was 6-0 in conference play with a 1.75 ERA allowing just 22 hits, as opponents hit just .173 off her, the second best in the MIAA. On the year, Fuller went 14-1 with a 1.38 ERA while leading the team with 119 strikeouts and five complete game shutouts including a no-hitter March 5 against Beloit (IL).

Rachel Harris, a third baseman who transferred from Division II Fairmount State (WV), tied Belote with a new MIAA record of nine home runs. Harris finished second in the conference with 27 hits and 54 total bases, third with 25 RBIs and was sixth with a .477 batting average. Harris also led the MIAA with a 1.227 slugging percentage, was tied for the league lead with 11 walks, tied for third with a .589 on base percentage, fourth with six doubles and eighth in the league with 20 runs scored.

Searles set several single-season MIAA records this year including 31 hits and her seven triples shattered the previous league record of four.  Searles also led the conference with a .633 batting average, nearly setting a new MIAA record as well. Searles led the conference with 32 runs scored, was second with 15 stolen bases and was fifth with 50 total bases. In addition, Searles led the MIAA with a .683 on base percentage, was third with nine walks, fourth with a 1.020 slugging percentage and tied for eighth with 17 RBIs. Searles was named to the All-MIAA Second Team as season ago.

On the All-MIAA second team for the second time in her career, the first was 2011, is first baseman Lauren Harris, sister of Rachel Harris. Lauren Harris was second in the conference with 27 hits, sixth with a .531 on base percentage, seventh with a .474 batting average and 41 total bases and tied for ninth with 19 runs scored. Harris was also tied for fourth with six doubles, tied for sixth with seven walks, tied for eighth with 17 RBIs and was 10th with a .719 slugging percentage.

Daniels, the shortstop for the Thunder, led the MIAA with nine doubles, just one shy of tying a conference record. Daniels was also tied for ninth with 19 runs, while hitting .392 with 13 RBIs and 20 hits in league play.

Newell, a transfer from Division I Toledo, sat out the first 18 games while recovering from an ACL injury. Newell returned just in time for conference play as she set a new single-season MIAA record with 37 RBIs. Newell also finished tied for third with 25 hits and was fourth with 24 runs scored, six home runs and 51 total bases. Newell, the reigning  National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division III Player of the Week, finished league play tied for fourth with six doubles and was sixth with a .864 slugging percentage while hitting .424 in 59 at bats.

Clark, one of just two freshmen named All-MIAA, made the switch to the outfield for the Thunder after having been an infielder during high school. Earlier in the season, Clark was also named the NFCA  National Division III Player of the Week and finished the conference season tied for fifth with 22 RBIs and seventh with 21 runs while hitting .328 in 59 at bats. Clark also led the conference with three sacrifice flies.

5/6 - Teams Announced for NCAA Angola Softball Regional

INDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA Division III Softball Committee has announced the 62 teams that will compete in the Division III Softball Championship, eight of which will compete at the Angola Regional, hosted by Trine University beginning May 9.

The Angola Regional teams selected are:

Trine University

Capital University

John Carroll University

Aurora University

The University of Mount Union

Allegheny College

Thomas More College

Anderson (IN) University

Host Trine University, the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association champion, will be the No.1 seed with a 36-3 record and face the No. 8 seed Anderson (25-15) who is the Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference champion at 10 a.m. Fourth seed Aurora (37-6), an at-large from the Northern Athletics Conference, will play the fifth seed Ohio Athletic Conference champion Mount Union (25-11) at Noon. At 2 p.m., No. 3 seed John Carroll (26-11), an at-large selection from the Ohio Athletic Conference, will face No. 6 seed Allegheny (21-18), the North Coast Athletic Conference champion. Rounding out the first day will be second seeded Capital (34-10), another at-large bid from the Ohio Athletic Conference, playing the Presidents' Athletic Conference champion, Thomas More (24-17) the No. 7 seed, at 4 p.m.

The regional tournament will use a double-elimination format running May 9-13. The finals, hosted by the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, will be held May 17-21 at the Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wis.

Forty-one conferences received automatic qualification (Pool A).  Two institutions were selected from Pool B, which includes independent institutions and institutions from conferences that do not meet the automatic qualification criteria. The 19 remaining teams were selected on an at-large basis from automatic qualifying conferences and the remaining institutions in Pool B.

5/3 - Fuller Named Capital One Academic All-District

ANGOLA, Ind. - Trine University softball pitcher, sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) has been named to the 2013 Capital One Academic All-District ® Softball Team. Fuller becomes the first player in program history to be honored as an Academic All-District selection.

An exercise science major, Fuller currently holds a 3.88 grade point average. The righthander has stepped up in her second season for the No. 2 ranked Thunder with a 14-1 record, including getting the win in the MIAA Tournament championship game. In the circle, Fuller currently leads the Trine pitching staff with 119 strikeouts in 91 1/3 innings. Fuller is also tied for the team lead with five shutouts, which ranks 50th in Division III. Batters are hitting just .155 off Fuller who has an ERA of 1.38 while also recording a save.

Fuller was one of two MIAA players selected to an All-District team, and the only MIAA representative amongst the 12 selected from District 7 which consists of Illinois, Indiana and Ohio. She was also one of three sophomores honored. Trine’s last Capital One Academic All-District ® selection came in 2011 as wrestler Elias Larson was named an At-Large Second Team honoree.

The 2013 Capital One Academic All-District ® Softball Teams, selected by the College Sports Information Directors of America, recognizes the nation’s top student-athletes for their combined performances athletically and in the classroom. Capital One has been the entitlement rights holder to CoSIDA’s Academic All-America teams programs since 2011.

The Academic All-District ® teams include eight geographic districts across the United States and Canada. This is the second year of the expanded Academic All-America program as CoSIDA moved from recognizing a University Division (Division I) and a College Division (all non Division I) and has doubled the number of scholar-athletes honored. The expanded teams include NCAA Division I, NCAA Division II and NCAA Division III participants, while the College Division team combines NAIA, Canadian and two-year schools.

The Capital One Division II and III Academic All-America ® program is being financially supported by the NCAA Division II and III national governance structures, to assist CoSIDA with handling the awards fulfillment aspects for the 2012-13 DII and DIII Academic All-America® teams program.

First-team Academic All-District ® honorees advance to the Capital One Academic All-America ®Team ballot, where first-, second- and third-team All-America honorees will be selected later this month.

5/3 - Softball Captures 5th MIAA Tournament and NCAA Bid

ANGOLA, Ind. - The No. 2 ranked Trine University softball team defeated Adrian 13-8 to win their fifth MIAA Conference Tournament title in the last seven years. After two prior unsuccessful attempts at winning the MIAA Conference Tournament at home, the Thunder earned the MIAA automatic qualifier bid for the NCAA Regional Tournament which will begin May 9 on Trine’s own field.

Trine (36-3) fell behind early as Adrian scored a run in the top of the first after they defeated Alma 2-1 in 17 innings to advance to the championship game.

The Thunder would answer back in the bottom of the inning with a two-out solo home run by sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers). Trine would then add a run in the second on a double by sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover).

In the third, Trine would break the game open scoring seven runs in the inning. The Thunder would get things started with an RBI single by senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) and a one-out RBI groundout by sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central). Rachel Harris would add an RBI single and after an Adrian error loaded the bases, sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) singled to left to plate two runs. Freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) would then added a two-run single to left of her own and gave the Thunder a 9-1 lead.

The Bulldogs still had some fight left in them as they plated three runs in the fourth on just one hit but were aided by two Trine errors.

Gasco, who entered the week third in Division III in homers, would smack her 17th of the season on the first pitch she saw to start the bottom of the fourth inning.

Adrian would add three more runs in the fifth on a two-out, three-run home run.

In the bottom half of the inning, Clark would again plate a run on an RBI double to left. One out later it would again be Gasco hitting her second long ball of the game, a two-run shot to left.

Adrian plated a run in the top of the seventh, but it wasn’t enough as Gasco closed out the game to give the Thunder the win and the tournament trophy.

Sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) earned the victory on the mound for the Thunder, her 14th of the season. Fuller went five innings, allowing seven runs (four earned) on six hits while striking out three. Gasco came on for the final two innings and allowed an unearned run on three hits and struck out three Adrian batters.

Five different Trine batters collected multiple hits in the game led by Gasco who went 4-for-4 with four RBIs and three runs. Clark, Searles, Newell and Rachel Harris each added a pair of hits. Searles, Clark and Newell all scored twice while Clark drove in three runs and Searles drove in two. Rachel Harris also drove in two runs while Belote scored twice.

The two teams combined for 21 runs in the final game, while the other five MIAA tournament games combined for just 15 runs.

Trine becomes the first team in the MIAA to win both the regular season and tournament titles in the same season since Hope accomplished it back in 2006.

Trine will now await the NCAA Selection Show announcement on May 6 at 10:00 a.m. to see who they will play in the first game of the NCAA Angola Regional on May 9. The Thunder will host the 5-day tournament for the first time in school history where the winner advances to the national tournament to be held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The selection show can be seen at the following link: http://www.ncaa.com/liveschedule

5/2 - Thunder Use Long Ball to Advance to Title Game

ANGOLA, Ind. - After jumping to the No. 2 spot in the most recent NFCA NCAA Division III poll, the Trine University softball team is now just a win away from winning the MIAA Tournament as they defeated Hope 2-1 and Alma 3-1 to advance to the championship game.

The top seeded Thunder (35-3 overall) jumped out to a 1-0 lead on Hope in the opener as sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) reached on an error with two outs in the third. After stealing second, freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) would drive in Searles on a single to left.

Hope would tie the game in the top of the fourth after a one-out walk was followed by a single and a Trine error.

It came down to the final at-bat in the bottom of the seventh for Trine, but it wouldn’t take long for the Thunder to end it. On the first pitch of the inning, senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) launched her eighth homer of the season on a shot to right center, and sending the Trine dugout spilling onto the field.

Freshman Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) allowed just four hits and an unearned run while striking out nine and walking two over seven innings.

In the winner’s bracket game, the Thunder faced their rival Alma for the right to advance to the championship game where Trine played as the visitors.

Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) allowed the only run of the game in the bottom of the first after a leadoff walk was followed by a one-out double and then a single. The Scots would load the bases but Gasco would retire two straight batters to limit the damage as Gasco allowed just two more hits the rest of the game.

Trine would get on the board in the top of the second started by a leadoff walk to Lauren Harris. After a sacrifice bunt that allowed pinch runner freshman Riley Larkin (Plainfield, Ind./Avon) to move to second, senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) doubled to the right center gap, scoring Larkin easily.

The Thunder wouldn’t wait till their last at bat this time, as Gasco reached on an infield single and advanced to second on an error to start the sixth inning. Two outs later it would be Belote delivering again for the Thunder as the senior launched her 14th home run of the season to right center, sending the Trine fans into a frenzy.

Gasco would retire Alma in order in both the sixth and the seventh as she struck out the side to end the game.

In the circle, Gasco finished the afternoon also throwing a four-hitter while allowing just the one earned run and striking out six.

Clark was a perfect 4-for-4 in game two while Belote went 2-for-3 with all three RBIs. Game one saw Lauren Harris collect a pair of hits in going 2-for-2 at the plate with a run and an RBI.

Trine will wait to find out their next opponent as Alma will face Adrian in the elimination bracket final at noon, with the winner facing the Thunder in the championship game at 2:00 p.m. Trine can win the MIAA automatic qualifier with a win, but a loss would force a winner-take-all final at 4:30 p.m.

5/1 - Newell Named NFCA DIII National Player of the Week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - Trine University sophomore Amy Newell turned in a strong performance in four games this week, breaking the MIAA single-season record for RBIs after her nine hits brought in 15 runs. The MIAA record was 31 while Newell has broken that with 37 RBIs on the season thus far.

Newell has only appeared in half of the games for Trine this season (18 total) after a torn ACL kept her from starting the season on time.

In 15 at-bats on the week, Newell recorded nine hits, nine runs, one double, one walk and four home runs to go along with the 15 RBIs. Her batting average for the week finished off at .600.  One of her four home runs was a grand slam against Albion.

Newell’s performance this week helped Trine (33-3) climb to the No. 2 spot in the latest NFCA Division III Top 25 poll and finish their season with an undefeated 16-0 record in MIAA conference play.

5/1 - Trine softball No. 2 in NFCA Poll

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - The Trine University softball team moved up two sports in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) NCAA Division III poll after finishing their regular season with a 33-3 overall record. The team went 4-0 in the previous week outscoring of their opponents 74-2.

After finishing out conference play this past weekend with two shutouts wins against Albion (22-0 and 26-0) and a no-hitter in their sweep against Saint Mary’s (Ind.) (4-0 and 22-2), the Thunder completed their season with a 16-0 conference record to win the MIAA title. The team became the first MIAA squad since 1999 to go undefeated in conference play. The No. 2 ranking marks the highest on record for a Trine team. The softball team previously shared the honor when it was ranked fourth in the NFCA poll along with the 1998 football team.

4/28 - Thunder Set MIAA Records En Route to Perfect Season

ANGOLA, Ind. - The fourth ranked Trine University softball team became the first MIAA squad since 1999 to go undefeated in conference play as they swept Albion College during a rain and mud filled afternoon 22-0 and 26-0. The Thunder enter the MIAA tournament play with a 33-3 overall record and finish the conference regular season with a 16-0 record.

Trine sprinted out of the gate as they plated 10 runs in the bottom of the first. Sophomore Amy Newell (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) had a two-run single and senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) followed with an RBI double. Fellow senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) tripled and then scored on a single by another senior in Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson). Sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) would knock her 12th homer of the year, a two-run shot. Freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) knocked in two on a triple, and then scored on a sacrifice fly by Newell.

In the second, after a leadoff walk to Lauren Harris, sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) hit her first home run of the year to left center. After Belote was hit, Rachel Harris knocked her second homer of the game to left center. The homer by Harris gave her the MIAA single-season record with 9 homers in conference play.

Newell would add a bases loaded single to score two and Gasco doubled down the left field line to plate two more. Belote singled home a run and Daniels would finish off the inning with an RBI single.

Trine would add a run in the third as Rachel Harris was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded.

Gasco pitched three innings to earn her 17th win of the year as she allowed one hit, walked one and struck out six. Senior Ashton Morgan (Berne, Ind./South Adams) came on to pitch the final two innings and allowed two hits while striking out three.

Game two saw the Thunder go down without a run in the first, but rebounded quickly plating 10 runs in the second.

Belote had a two-run double and Daniels knocked her in on another double. Daniels would score on a single by sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) and an Albion error. Searles would then score on a sacrifice fly by Clark.

Newell followed by launching a 2-0 pitch over the center field wall, to break the MIAA single-season RBI record. Gasco would then reach on an error and it would be Lauren Harris delivering with her seventh homer of the year. After Hall reached on an error, Belote skied a homer to center that just cleared the fence.

In the third, Searles tripled home Daniels and then scored on another sacrifice fly by Clark. Newell would then deliver her second home run of the game, just sneaking it inside the right field foul pole.

Trine would add 11 more runs in the fourth. Belote would knock a two-run homer to give her 9 for the MIAA season, tying the record set by Rachel Harris in game one. The Thunder would load the bases, and Newell would deliver on her third straight home run, putting a dent in the scoreboard. The homer would also give Newell sole possession of the MIAA single-season RBI record with 37, which Belote had also broken with her home run.

The Thunder would add runs in the inning on a single by Rachel Harris, two more on a double by Daniels and another on a triple by Searles.

The highest scoring offense in the nation tacked on two more runs in the fifth on a two-run homer by Leah Hall, her second of the day.

Freshman Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) made her first career start in MIAA play as she went the distance to get her fourth win of the season, allowing just one hit while walking two and striking out five.

The Thunder tied a school record which they set earlier in the year with seven home runs in game two, which is third all-time in NCAA Division III history. The three home runs in-a-row by Newell trails the four by Belote earlier in the year, but still ranks fourth in DIII history. Also, the three home runs hit by the Thunder in the second inning of game two is tied for second in the NCAA record books. The Thunder tallied 52 total bases in game two, although they already broke the NCAA record earlier in the season, the mark still ranks fourth all-time in DIII history.

The team also set several MIAA single-season record during the day. Trine broke the record for hits, doubles and finished the year with a .443 team average to set a new conference record. Trine finishes the year breaking every offensive single-season MIAA record (average, hits, doubles, triples, home runs and total bases).

Belote finished the day going 5-for-5 and now had seven consecutive hits while adding eight RBIs and seven runs scored. Daniels finished 6-for-7 at the plate with three doubles while scoring six times and driving in four. Searles was 4-for-5 with six runs while Rachel Harris went 4-for-6 with six RBIs and four runs. Searles would also set an MIAA record with her 31st hit during game two.

Newell collected five hits on the day while driving in 11 and scoring five times. Lauren Harris also collected five hits at the plate and scored six times. Hall had three hits on the day, drove in five runs and came around to score six runs. Clark and Gasco added a pair of hits on the day as Clark drove in five and score four runs while Gasco drove in three and added three runs. Gasco’s three runs gave her the Trine career record with 138.

Trine will host the MIAA Tournament beginning on May 2. Alma will face Adrian in the opener at 11:00 a.m. with Trine playing Hope at 1:00 p.m.

4/26 - Thunder Win Second Straight MIAA Title With Sweep

ANGOLA, Ind. - It was the perfect end to the final day of classes for the fourth ranked Trine University softball team as they swept Saint Mary’s College 4-0 and 22-2 en route to winning their second straight, and fifth of the last seven MIAA Conference Championships. It also means that the Thunder will host the MIAA Conference Tournament May 2-3.

Trine, now 31-3 on the year and 14-0 in the conference, dominated game one behind senior pitcher Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) as she threw her second no-hitter of the season and third of her career. The lone base runners Gasco allowed came in the top of the first on a walk and a hit batter. From there, she retired 18 straight batters, throwing jus the second no-hitter for Trine in MIAA play.

Trine would get a pair of runs in the third on a two-out single by senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) that plated a pair of runs after the inning had been extended by a Belles error.

In the fourth, Trine added a pair of runs after a leadoff triple by senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson). She would then score on a groundout by sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). Fellow sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) would single with two outs and then steal second, her 31st of the season setting a new Trine record. Searles would score on a single by freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central).

Gasco notched her 16th win of the season as she struck out six over the seven innings of no-hit ball.

The nightcap started very differently for the Thunder as they jumped out to a 1-0 lead as Searles tripled and then scored on a bad relay throw. Trine would add two more runs in the inning on a pair of hits by Lauren Harris and sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central).

In the second, the Thunder got a pair of leadoff doubles by junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) and Searles. Another pair of singles by Clark and sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) plated two more runs for Trine.

Trine loaded the bases in the third, but Saint Mary’s escaped damage. The Belles wouldn’t be so lucky in the fourth inning.

After a leadoff double by Hall, two outs later Daniels singled. Trine would then get a single by Searles, and doubles by Clark and Newell. Gasco would be hit by a pitch and Lauren Harris then delivered a single to plate two more runs.

In the bottom of the inning, the Belles would score their only runs on a one-out, two-run home run by Jillian Busfield.

Trine wasn’t done yet though as they exploded for 10 runs in the top of the fifth including six straight hits at one point. Belote had a pair of singles in the inning while Rachel Harris had an RBI triple and a two-run homer to left center. Newell would also have a two-run shot to left center in the fifth.

In game two alone, the Thunder collected 28 hits including 12 for extra bases. Every starter had a hit and a run in the game, while eight starters had at least two hits and one RBI.

Sophomore Bree fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) earned her 12th victory of the year allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out nine in just five innings of work.

For the day, Clark led the Thunder going 6-for-9 at the plate with four RBIs and scoring four times. Lauren Harris and Searles both went 5-for-8 in the series. Harris led the squad with 6 RBIs on the day and Searles score four times. Newell had four’s all around with four hits, four runs and four RBIs. Hall had three hits on the afternoon, all doubles, and drove in three runs and scored twice. Daniels and Belote also had three hits on the day. Daniels scored four runs and drove in two while Belote scored three times. Rachel Harris added a pair of hits and drove in four runs.

With her hit in game two, Gasco set a new Trine career record for hits with her 180th. Also in the second game, Searles set a new conference single-season record with her fifth triple in MIAA play.

Trine will wrap up their regular season as they host Albion for a doubleheader on April 28 starting at 11:00 a.m.

4/22 - Siblings Win MIAA Softball Players of the Week

ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Trine University siblings Carly Searles and Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) its Position Player of the Week and Pitcher of the Week for games played through April 20.

Searles, a sophomore outfielder, hit .621 (18-for-29), scored 15 runs and had 10 RBIs for the week as the Thunder posted an 8-0 record in MIAA play, boosting their league mark to 12-0. She went 4-for-4 with two triples, two stolen bases, four runs scored and four RBIs in a 13-4 victory over Calvin. Searles, who is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time in her career, stole eight bases and added three doubles and three triples for the week.

Gasco, a senior righthander, struck out 29 batters and allowed only one earned run in 26-2/3 innings in posting a 5-0 record for the week. She struck out 11 and came within one out of a no-hitter in a 7-0 MIAA victory over Hope, and also threw a five-hitter in winning a 2-1 pitchers’ duel against Alma that propelled the Thunder into first place in the MIAA. She also hit .480 (12-for-25) at the plate with four home runs, three triples and nine RBIs for the week. Gasco is being honored as Player of the Week for the second time this season and sixth time in her career.

4/20 - Searles Sets Career Triples Mark in Sweep of Calvin

ANGOLA, Ind. - The Trine University softball team ran their winning streak to 13 games as they swept MIAA foe Calvin College 6-4 and 13-4 in five innings as they celebrated their four seniors on Senior Day. The fifth ranked Thunder now stand at 29-3 on the season and 12-0 in the conference.

The Thunder fell behind early on in game one as Calvin jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the second on a pair of doubles.

In the third, Trine would plate four runs in the inning, but on just one hit as the Knights would commit three errors. Trine would score a run on a bases loaded error by the Calvin shortstop. Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) would score her sister Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) on a sacrifice fly, then freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) would also score on the play when the throw by the right fielder sailed over the catchers head.

Trine would score the eventual game-winner in the sixth. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) would draw a four-pitch leadoff walk. Pinch runner junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) would advance to second on a sacrifice bunt and then to third on a fielder’s choice. Junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) singled through the left side to score Craig. Searles then doubled home sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover).

Calvin would plate two runs in the top of the seventh, both with one out before Gasco was able to retire the final two batters to end the rally.

Gasco earned her 15th win of the season allowing seven hits and one earned run while striking out seven.

It was a different story in game two as the Thunder jumped all over the Knights from the start as Trine would plate a pair of run in the top of the first. After a leadoff single by Searles, she would steal second. Clark would then drive her in on a double to the left center gap. Two outs later, senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) drove in Clark on a single to left.

In the second, the Thunder would add three runs on just one hit. A one-out walk to Rachel Harris was followed by a Calvin error on a grounder by Daniels. Searles would then triple to the left center gap to score both Harris and Daniels. Searles would then come home to score on a groundout by Clark.

Calvin would try to make things interesting as they plated three runs in the bottom of the third on a three-run home run.

The Thunder would answer back with three runs of their own in the fourth. With one out, Searles tripled to left center, scoring Daniels and Searles would score when the relay throw from the Calvin shortstop sailed to the backstop. Clark followed by reaching on another Calvin error. One out later it would be Gasco with the triple to right center, scoring Clark.

The Thunder would close out their scoring in the fifth as they plated five runs, three of which came off a homer. After a leadoff single by senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson), Rachel Harris would walk. Daniels then doubled to left scoring Belote. Searles would follow with an infield single to score Harris. One out later it would be sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) launching her third homer of the season, a blast that dented the scoreboard in right center.

Calvin would have an answer in the bottom of the fifth as pinch hitter Megan Rozeveld hit a home run to start the inning. The Knights would get a pair of runners on that would have delayed the 8-run mercy rule, but sophomore pitcher Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) was able to escape the jam and retired the final two batters.

Fuller earned her 11th victory on the season despite allowing a season-high four earned runs on seven hits. Fuller finished the day with six strikeouts while surrendering just one walk, which came in the seventh.

Searles had an outstanding day going 6-for-7, including a 4-for-4 game two, to go along with a team-best five runs and five RBIs. Searles also stole two bases on the day. Daniels recorded three hits on the day and scored four runs while driving in two. Lauren Harris, Gasco and Clark each had a pair of hits on the day. Clark would also drive in three runs and score three times. Newell added three RBIs on the afternoon while Rachel Harris scored three runs after drawing five walks on the day.

With two triples on the day, Searles set a new Trine career record with 18 in just two seasons. The previous mark of 17 was one of the oldest in the Thunder record book held by Candy Aplin from 1986-1989.

Trine also tied two records in the game. With her two hits, Gasco tied the career record of 179. Also, with the two stolen bases, Searles tied the single-season record of 30.

Trine will look to clinch at least a share of the conference title when they host Albion on April 22 for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader.

4/16 - Trine Sets MIAA Home Run Record in Sweep of Hope

By Sports Information Student Assistant Haleigh Daniels  

HOLLAND, Mich. - The No.4 Trine University Softball team continued their hot streak shutting out Hope College with a 7-0 win in the first game and adding to the win column with a 6-0 victory in game two. The sweep of the previously undefeated in the conference Hope, moves the Thunder to 27-3 on the season and 10-0 in the MIAA.

In game one, the Thunder remained scoreless through the first three innings with only two Trine players reaching base by a walk and an error by the Flying Dutch.

Senior pitcher Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) allowed no hits through the first three innings and struck out the side in both the second and third.

Gasco would help get the offense started the fourth inning with a base hit to left and then advanced to second on a walk by fellow senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). Junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) would then come in to pinch run for Harris. With two outs in the inning, senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) battled to earn a walk to load the bases for sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). On the third pitch of her at bat, Harris would knock her first of three home runs of the day and her second grand slam of the year to put the Thunder ahead 4-0.

After Hope retired the side in the top of the fifth inning, Gasco came up clutch to start the sixth inning off with a solo shot to left field.

Rachel Harris launched her second home run of the game to start things off in the top of the seventh inning on a shot to right center. Junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) followed up with a single to right field. Daniels would be retired on the fielder’s choice by sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey). After stealing second, Searles would score on a base hit by fellow sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) to put the Thunder up by the final score of 7-0.

The Flying Dutch would get their only hit in the bottom of the seventh inning with two outs on a pinch hit single to right field, but the batter would be thrown out trying to advance to second by sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central).

Gasco finished the game throwing a one-hit shutout, allowing three walks and striking out 11 Hope batters.

With the win in game one, coach Don Danklefsen earned his 250th career victory as head coach of the Trine University Softball program.

In the nightcap, sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) retired Hope in order in the top of the first as she struck out the first three Flying Dutch batters she faced. The Thunder came right back to score a run in the bottom of the first. Searles started things off with a single to right field and then stole second. After freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) moved Searles to third base with a ground out to the pitcher, Newell would again drive in Searles, this time with a single to left.

In the bottom of the third, the Thunder added two runs after Newell doubled to left field and then advanced to third on the throwing error by the left fielder. Gasco collected her second home run of the day on a shot to left field, putting the Thunder up 3-0.

Fuller would collect another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth. In the bottom of the inning, Belote would reached on an error by the Hope third baseman and scored two batters later when Searles doubled to left. 

In the bottom of the sixth inning the Thunder scored two more runs on back-to-back homers by Belote and Rachel Harris. Trine would then load the bases as Searles reached on a base hit followed by walks to Clark and Newell. The Flying Dutch would retire the next two Trine batters as the Thunder left the bases loaded.

Fuller would get another 1-2-3 inning in the top of the seventh as she struck out two more Hope batters to finish with 10 strikeouts on the afternoon. Fuller allowed just three hits over seven innings while not allowing a walk.

Rachel Harris, Gasco, Searles and Newell all collected three hits on the afternoon. Rachel Harris also led the Thunder with six RBIs on the day while Gasco drove in three and Newell added a pair of RBIs. Rachel Harris, Gasco and Belote all added three runs scored for the Thunder. Searles would also score twice while Daniels added a pair of hits.

After the six home runs hit in the sweep, Trine set a new MIAA record for home runs in a season with 23. The previous record of 20 was shared by Trine from a season ago and Alma during the 2008 season.

The squad will take a day off before returning to the field on April 18 when they host Albion for a pair of conference games beginning at 3:30 p.m.

4/15 - Thunder Stave Off Game Two Upset, Sweep Adrian

ADRIAN, Mich. - It was a Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde kind of day for the Trine University softball team as they routed Adrian College 13-1 in five innings in game one but needed a late-inning comeback to defeat the Bulldogs 7-6 in game two. The sweep improves the No.4 ranked Thunder to 25-3 on the year and 8-0 in the MIAA.

In game one, the Thunder scored in the first four innings. Sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) got things started with a one-out RBI single to left in the top of the first to plate the game’s first run.

Adrian would tie the game in the bottom of the inning on a sacrifice fly after a Trine error.

Trine would open the game up in the second as they scored three times in the inning. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) would triple down the right field line to score a run. Senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) then singled to plate Hall. After a walk and a sacrifice bunt, Belote would score on an RBI groundout by sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey).

Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) would launch a one-out solo homer to right center in the third to extend the Trine lead.

The Thunder would blow the flood gates open in the fourth as they plated eight runs on seven hits, all coming with two outs. Newell would deliver a two-run single and Gasco would hit her second homer of the day, a two-run shot to left. Trine would also get RBI singles in the inning from freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central), sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) and Searles.

Gasco earned the game one victory after going three innings, allowing just one unearned run on two hits while striking out two. Freshman Justin Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) came on for the final two innings striking out two and allowing just runner to reach base on a walk.

Game two was a different story for the Thunder as they had to battle back twice. Adrian would score first as they plated two runs in the third on a home run by Kaitlyn Hinojosa.

Trine would get a run back in the bottom of the inning after Searles reached on a three-base error. Newell would once again knock in Searles on a groundout to third.

The Thunder would take the lead in the fourth after Hall reached on an error and Belote walked. Both would then score on back-to-back singles up the middle by junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) and Searles.

Adrian would retake the lead in the fifth as they plated three runs on just one hit while Trine committed two errors and walked four batters.

The Bulldogs lead wouldn’t last long though as Trine answered with three runs of their own in the bottom of the inning. Senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) would knock in a run on a double to left. Hall would then score Gasco from third on a sacrifice fly to right. Belote would follow with a single to score Harris from second.

In the sixth the Thunder would tack on a key insurance run as Searles led off the inning with a triple to the left center gap. Big sis Andi would drive her in on a single up the middle to put Trine up 7-5.

In the top of the seventh, Adrian would load the bases with two outs. The Bulldogs would score a run on a walk to pull within one. The next Adrian batter smacked what looked to be the go-ahead hit, but junior Jamie Lydick (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) made an outstanding play up the middle to get the force at second and give Trine the victory.

Gasco earned her second win of the day and 13th of the season, coming on in relief going the final 2 2/3 innings allowing one unearned run on one hit while striking out three. Trine starter, sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) had a no decision lasting four innings, allowing four runs, two unearned, on just one hit and five strikeouts but allowed a season-high six walks. Robles tossed 1/3 of an inning facing four batters and allowing a run on a hit.

Trine will again go right back to action as they travel to Hope on April 16 in a battle of undefeated teams in the conference beginning at 3:30 p.m.

4/14 - Thunder Sweeps Rival Scots

ANGOLA, Ind. - In the annual battle between the two biggest softball rivals in the MIAA, the fourth ranked Trine University squad bested Alma College, sweeping the Scots 2-1 and 8-1. The Thunder improve their record to 23-3 on the season and 6-0 in the conference. The losses were the first for Alma in conference play.

Game one was a true pitchers dual from two of the conferences’ best in Trine senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) and Alma’s Louise Rezmer.

Alma would strike first with their only run of the game in the fourth. The Scots would get a leadoff single followed by a sacrifice bunt. One out later, Alma would plate the run on a Trine error.

It took the Thunder until the sixth to being to break down Rezmer, until that point Trine was unable to get more than one runner on base in an inning. In the sixth, sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) would reach on a leadoff single and then steal second. The Alma defense would then attempt to put Searles out at second, allowing freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) to reach on the fielder's choice. Sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) would deliver for the Thunder with a single up the middle to score Searles from second. Trine would get a one-out single from senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) to load the bases, but the Thunder would be unable to plate another run as the game was tied going into the seventh.

After the Scots got two hits in the top of the seventh, Gasco would strike out the final batter to end the Alma rally and give the Thunder a shot to win it in the bottom of the inning.

Not wasting any time in their half of the inning, sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) knocked a double to center on the first pitch she saw. Harris would then be lifted for pinch runner freshman Allison Lang (Rome City, Ind./East Noble). One out later, it would be Searles  with the bloop single down the right field line to score Lang from second and send the Trine bench spilling onto the field in celebration.

Gasco earned her 11th win of the season on the mound, allowing just the one unearned run on five hits while striking out six.

Rezmer would start game two for Alma, but the Thunder wouldn’t waste any time getting to the Scots ace this time as they plated runs in the first four innings.

In the first, Searles would strike out swinging on a ball in the dirt, but the throw by the Alma catcher hit Searles in the helmet, allowing her to advance to second. After a walk to Clark, it would again be Newell driving in a run on a single up the middle.

In the second, senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) led off the inning with a double down the left field line. Two outs later, Searles would reach on an infield single to put runners at the corners. Clark would then step in and deposit the 2-1 pitch from Rezmer over the left field fence for the fifth homer of the season.  It was just the second home run of the season that Rezmer had allowed.

Trine would get a leadoff double from Gasco to start the third, but would she be thrown out at the plate trying to score on a single by sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central). Belote would then drive Hall in on a single to left.

The Thunder would continue to take advantage of getting their leadoff batters on as Searles reaching to start the fourth on an infield single to the second baseman. After stealing second and advancing to third on a wild pitch, Searles would score on a sacrifice bunt by Newell.

Alma scored their lone run in the sixth as Trine pitcher, sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton), started the inning with to back-to-back walks. Alma’s Lea Lusk would drive in a run on a double, but the trail runner would be thrown out at the plate on a Searles-to-Daniels-to-Belote connection.

In the seventh, the Thunder would tack on two more runs, all coming with one out. After a walk to Gasco, Lauren Harris doubled to left center, scoring Gasco. One out later it would be Belote with a single to right center that scored Harris from second.

Fuller would retire the Scots in order in the bottom of the seventh to give the Thunder the sweep.

The six runs Trine put up on Rezmer is tied for the most she has given up all season.

Fuller would earn her ninth win of the season in the circle for the Thunder, allowing just one earned run on three hits while striking out eight Alma batters.

It’s the second straight season Trine has swept Alma in conference play.

On the day, Searles led the Thunder going 5-for-7 with four runs scored and an RBI. Belote collected four hits on the day and a pair of RBIs. Gasco and Lauren Harris each had three hits on the afternoon. Newell and Hall also had a pair of hits on the day. Newell and Clark led the Thunder on the day with three RBIs respectively.

Trine will get right back to action as they travel to Adrian on April 15 for a 3:30 p.m. conference doubleheader.

4/12 - Trine to Host NCAA Softball Regional

INDIANAPOLIS - Trine University has been selected as one of seven regional sites for the 2013 NCAA Division III Softball Championship, the NCAA announced Friday. The eighth regional site will be announced soon. Participants in the 62-team field will be selected for the championship and assigned to regional sites Sunday, May 5. The bracket will be released during the selection show Monday, May 6 at 10 a.m. Eastern time on www.NCAA.com.

This is the first time since becoming an NCAA member in 2004 that Trine will host the regional softball tournament and is the third straight MIAA member school selected to host a regional tournament (Alma in 2012 and Adrian in 2011). Trine University also hosted the 2012 NCAA Division III Women’s Golf Championship last May.

The selected regional hosts and sites are:

Trine University - Angola, Indiana

Central College (Iowa) - Pella, Iowa

Ithaca College - Ithaca, New York

Montclair State University - Montclair, New Jersey

Roanoke College - Salem, Virginia

University of Texas at Tyler - Tyler, Texas

University of Wisconsin, Whitewater - Whitewater, Wisconsin

Eight teams will compete at seven regional sites and six teams will compete at one regional site. The eight-team regionals will be held May 9-13, and the six-team regional will be held May 10-13. All regional sites will use a double-elimination format.

The finals, hosted by the University of Wisconsin, Eau Claire, will be held May 17-21 at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

For more information about the Division III Softball Championship, log on to www.ncaa.com.

4/10 - Trine softball No. 4 in NFCA Poll

After out-scoring their opponents 100-0 in their last five games, the Trine University softball team moved up one position for a share of the No. 4 spot in the NFCA Division III poll. The team set several Division III NCAA softball records as well as finishing the week 5-1. The Thunder quickly bounced back from their lone loss (3-2) to Defiance by earning revenge when senior Andi Gasco tossed her second career no-hitter topping Defiance 11-0 on that same day. Trine followed that performance the next day with a pair of 18-0 victories over Kalamazoo and then proceeded to top that with 34-0 and 19-0 victories over Olivet on Saturday. Senior Sarah Belote set two national single-game records for RBIs and total bases while tying the record with four home runs. As a team, the Thunder set the record for total bases.

4/8 - Belote, Gasco Named MIAA POW in Softball

ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Trine catcher Sarah Belote its Position Player of the Week and Trine righthander Andi Gasco its Pitcher of the Week for games played through April 7.

Belote, a senior from Bronson, Mich. (Bronson HS), hit .643 (9-for-14) with six home runs and 20 RBIs in leading Trine to four straight MIAA victories. She went 6-for-6 at the plate and set an NCAA Division III single-game record with 14 RBIs in a 34-0 victory over Olivet. She also became just the third player in Division III softball history to hit four home runs in a game, and added a double and single for 19 total bases, breaking another D-III mark. Belote is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time this season and second time in her career.

Gasco, a senior from Levering, Mich. (Petoskey HS), allowed just two hits and struck out 21 in 14 innings in posting a 3-0 record for the week. She pitched her second career no-hitter in an 11-0 victory over Defiance, Ohio. She then followed with a one-hitter, striking out eight in an 18-0 MIAA win over Kalamazoo and allowed one hit and struck out 10 in four innings in a 34-0 win over Olivet. Gasco also hit .818 (9-for-11) at the plate in the doubleheader sweeps of Kalamazoo and Olivet with two home runs, 11 RBIs, 15 runs scored, three doubles and a triple. She is being honored as Player of the Week for the first time this season and fifth time in her career.

4/6 - Thunder ReWrite NCAA and Team Record Books in Sweep

OLIVET, Mich. - It was a monster day for the No. 5 Trine University softball team as they set or tied four NCAA Division III records and numerous team records as they swept Olivet 34-0 and 19-0. Trine senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) set two records (total bases and RBIs) and tied another (home runs) as the Thunder set another (total bases) as a team. The wins improve the Thunder to 21-3 on the season and 4-0 in the MIAA.

Trine came out of the gates quickly as they scored five runs in the top of the first. The first four batters reached base as sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) drove in a run on a single and senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) drove in a pair on a double. With two outs, Belote would drive in another on a single.

The Thunder put another five spot on the board in the second. After a leadoff triple from freshman Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey), freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) would score her on a sacrifice fly. The Thunder would then get consecutive doubles by Newell, Gasco and senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) to plate a pair of runs. Then with two outs, Belote would hit her first home run of the game to close out the inning.

In the third, Trine plated seven runs, all coming with at least one out. After back-to-back singles by Clark and Newell, Gasco would hit her 12th homer of the season. After a Lauren Harris double and a walk, Belote would go yard for the second time. Trine would add a run on an RBI single by Searles with two outs.

The Thunder offense kept it going in the fourth as they plated 11 runs in the inning. Lauren Harris would hit her sixth homer of the season, a two-run shot and Belote would follow with a two-run shot of her own. Sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) then tripled and scored on a ground out by junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton). The Thunder would add runs on a double by Newell and a bases loaded double by Belote that scored all three runners.

The scoring barrage would come to a close in the fifth as Trine plated their final six runs. Trine would get leadoff doubles from Daniels and Searles and then Clark would get in on the action with her fourth home run of the year. Two outs later, Hall would single after Lauren Harris had reached on a fielder’s choice. Belote would step in and deliver on her fourth home run of the game, and her second three-run shot.

Gasco earned her 10th win of the season as she went four innings while allowing just one hit, which came in the first, while striking out a season-high 10. Freshman Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) came on for the fifth inning and struck out all three batters she faced.

Belote went 6 for 6 in game one including four home runs, which ties a NCAA Division III record, to go along with an NCAA Collegiate (DI, DII and DIII) record with 14 RBIs and 19 total bases. Belote now shares the individual record for homers in a game with two other players, Lynn Herman and Giovanna Roberson, Herman was the most recent occurring on March 20, 2010. The previous DIII record for RBIs was 12 held by Roberson of Hunter College vs. Medgar Evers Collegeon April 22, 1998 and Gina Moscato of Farmingdale St. vs. John Jay on March 13, 2004. The previous total bases record was 18 and was also held by Roberson from the same game in 1998.

The six hits by Belote ranks tied for second all-time in DIII. Belote also had three straight home runs in the game (second, third and fourth innings) which is tied for fourth in DIII history.

As a team, the Thunder also put their mark in the DIII record book as they collected 63 total bases which broke the DIII mark of 58 set by Hunter College vs. Baruch on April 6, 2000. Trine also went into the books as they collected 29 hits, tied for 14th; nine doubles, tied for fifth; seven home runs, tied for third; 31 RBIs, tied for seventh; 34 runs, tied for 20th; and margin of victory, tied for 13th. All of which also set single-game school records.

After all of the excitement that game one brought, the Thunder still had to play game two against the Comets. Trine though, showed they were up to the challenge as they scored eight runs in the bottom of the first.

The first four batters reached base as Clark doubled and Newell connected on her second home run of the season, a three-run shot. After a single by Gasco, one out later Hall would double to score her. Belote would then follow with her fifth home run of the day, a two-run blast. Trine would add a pair of runs after a double by Daniels, a sacrifice fly by Searles and a single by Clark.

Trine would have their streak of nine straight innings scoring a run come to a halt in the second as just one batter reached base.

In the third, Trine would get a pair of doubles to lead off the inning by Rachel Harris and Daniels, which would scored Harris. Daniels would then score on a single by Searles.

The Thunder would plate eight more runs in the bottom of the fourth, all coming with two outs. After Belote reached on an error and Searles walked, the two would score on an Olivet error after a single by pinch hitter, freshman Breann Cooper (Beech Grove, Ind./Beech Grove). Newell would double to score Cooper and Newell would then score on an Olivet error. Lauren Harris would single to score Gasco and pinch hitter, senior Ashton Morgan (Berne, Ind./South Adams) would triple to score Harris and Hall. Junior Jamie Lydick (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) would plate the game’s final run on a single.

Sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) earned her eighth win of the season as she also went four innings while striking out seven and allowing just three hits. Robles again came on for the final inning to strike out two of the three batters she faced.

All 12 of Trine’s batters that went to the plate on the afternoon collected at least one hit. Also, every Trine starter collected at least three hits and scored at least two runs as the Thunder hit .603 on the day while collecting 47 hits including 15 doubles, nine home runs and three triples.

Belote would lead the way going 7 for 9 on the day with five home runs, 16 RBIs, and seven runs scored. Gasco went 6 for 7 at the plate with seven runs, six RBIs and three walks. Newell would also collect six hits on the afternoon to go along with six RBIs and six runs scored. Rachel Harris would too collect six hits to go along with two runs.

Clark connected on 5 of 7 at the plate with five runs and four RBIs. Lauren Harris and Searles both had four hits and four RBIs while Searles scored seven times and stole three bases and Harris collected six runs. Hall and Daniels collected three hits apiece on the day with all three of Daniels’ coming as doubles. Hall scored six times while being walked three times and Daniels came across the plate three times.

During their home run barrage in game one, the Thunder set a new single season record eclipsing the mark of 41 that was set just a season ago.

Also during game one, Gasco set the Trine career record for most doubles with 39, surpassing the mark of 38 set by Kara Graham (2006-2009).

Trine will takes a couple of days off to rest up after playing six games in four days as they host Alma for a very important MIAA doubleheader beginning at 3:30 p.m.

4/4 - Thunder Hammer Out 36 Runs in Sweep of Hornets

KALAMAZOO, Mich. - It was a great way to start the conference season for the No. 5 Trine University softball team as they swept Kalamazoo 18-0 and 18-0 both in five innings. The Thunder improve their overall record to 19-3 on the season.

After starting slow the past couple of games the Thunder wasted no time against the Hornets as they scored six times in the top of the first. Sophomore Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) was hit by a pitch with one out and sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) then reached on a Kalamazoo error. Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) followed with a walk and fellow senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) followed with a single through the right side to plate the first run. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) then reached on a walk to score Newell and Gasco would then score on a wild pitch by the Kalamazoo pitcher. Sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) would then step in and clear the bases with her fifth home run of the season.

In the top of the second, the Thunder would get a two out walk from Newell to get things started. Gasco would follow with a single to left to score Newell who had advanced to second on a wild pitch. Gasco would advance all the way to third on two Kalamazoo errors on the play. Lauren Harris would follow with a double to left center to score Gasco. Hall would also follow with a double of her own down the left field line, scoring Harris.

Leading 9-0, Trine wouldn’t let up in the third as they plated four more runs, all coming on the long ball. It would be Rachel Harris leading off the inning with a solo shot to right center. Junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) then reached base on a dropped fly ball by Kalamazoo. One out later it would be Clark who reached on another Hornets error. Daniels would be retired as Newell then reach on the fielder’s choice which brought Gasco to the plate and she would deliver. Gasco, who came into the week tied for third in the nation in home runs, hit her 11th of the season on a bullet over the right center fence.

Trine added a run in the fourth despite not getting a hit. Senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) led off the inning with a walk. Belote would then advance around the bases on three Kalamazoo wild pitches, of which the final one allowed her to score easily from third.

In the fifth, Clark led off the inning reaching on an error by the Kalamazoo third baseman. Newell would then hit a double to left center and scoring Clark. Gasco would also reach on a Kalamazoo error to put runners on the corners. One out later, Hall would score Newell on an RBI ground out to the second baseman. Belote then stepped in and delivered her first hit of the day on a towering home run to left field, her fifth of the year.

Gasco was near perfect on the day coming just one hit away from throwing back-to-back no-hitters as she surrendered a leadoff single in the first. Gasco finished the game with eight strikeouts and two walks for her ninth win of the season.

Game two didn’t start quite a quickly for the Thunder as they were held scoreless in the first inning. That would be the only time on the day however as Trine answered with three runs in the third.

Hall walked to lead off the inning and one out later Rachel Harris would also draw a walk. Daniels would then single through the left side to score Hall. Clark would also follow with a single through the left side to score both Daniels and Harris.

Trine would open the flood gates in the bottom of the third as they sent 18 batters to the plate, while scoring 13 runs on seven hits.

Belote would get the scoring started with a single through the left side that scored pinch runner freshman Riley Larkin (Plainfield, Ind./Avon) and Gasco. Daniels and freshman Allison Lang (Rome City, Ind./East Noble) would draw back-to-back bases loaded walks to score a pair of runs. Newell would clear the bases with a triple down the right field line and would score on an errant Kalamazoo throw. The Thunder would get another run after Gasco had reached on a walk followed by a Lauren Harris hit and a Kalamazoo error.

Trine would load the bases again on another walk to Belote, and once again Rachel Harris would deliver for her third homer of the day, this time a grand slam.

The Thunder would add two more runs in the fourth as pinch hitter freshman Astrid Koose (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded. Lang would then reach on an infield single to the shortstop to score the game’s final run.

Kalamazoo’s lone hit’s for the day both came off the bat of Madeline Sinkovich. She led off the bottom of the first in game one with a single and had a one out double in the top of the third in game two.

Sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) went four innings allowing just one hit in game two while striking out six. Freshman Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) came on for the fifth, and recorded all three outs via the strikeout.

For the day, five different Trine players recorded multiple hits as the Thunder hit .407 as a team, collecting 22 total hits. In all, 12-of-14 Trine batters that came to the plate collected a hit or reached base by a walk or hit by pitch. Lauren Harris led the Thunder going 5-for-8 with three runs and two RBIs. Sister Rachel also had an outstanding day at the dish going 4-for-6 with 8 RBIs and scoring five runs. Gasco led the team with seven runs scored on the afternoon while going 3-for-4 at the plate, driving in four and walking four times.

Belote, Newell and Clark all collected two hits on the day. Newell scored five times while driving in four, Belote scored four runs and knocked in four while Clark came around three times and had 2 RBIs. Hall would round the bases four times on the day while driving in two. Daniels also collected two RBIs on the day while scoring twice.

The 13 runs scored by the Thunder in the third inning fell shy of their record of 16 which came last year also against Kalamazoo, but it did tie for 16th in NCAA Division III history. Trine becomes just the third school in Division III history to score 13 or more runs twice or more in school history joining DeSales and Cortland St.

Trine will take a day off before returning to action on April 6 as they travel to Olivet for another conference doubleheader beginning at 1:00 p.m.

4/3 - Gasco Throws No-Hitter as Thunder Split Series

DEFIANCE, Ohio - Trine softball senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) threw her second career no-hitter in game two as the fifth ranked Thunder split their non-conference series with Defiance falling 3-2 before coming back to win 11-0. The Thunder now stand at 17-3 on the season.

Game one saw the Yellow Jackets jump out to a 3-0 lead that Trine was never able to recover from. Defiance got a leadoff walk and then one out later a home run from Katie Miller. Defiance would add another run after back-to-back walks were followed by a double.

The Thunder would get on the board in the third as junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) led off the inning with a single to left center. After a ground out moved her to second, freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) would drive her in on a single up the middle. Trine would then get a single from sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) and would load the bases on a Yellow Jackets error, but were unable to push another run across.

Trine would load the bases again in the fourth with one out, but again were shutout from adding a run.

In the top of the seventh, the Thunder nearly pulled off the comeback. Clark led off the inning by reaching on a Defiance error and then advanced on a ground out. Then with two outs, senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) singled up the middle to score Clark. The rally would end there as the final batter of the game would be retired.

Sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) lost for the first time this season as she allowed all three earned runs over six innings while striking out seven and giving up four hits, two of which came in the first inning.

The nightcap was all Thunder from the start as Gasco allowed just two Defiance batters to reach base via walks.

In the first, Trine would get the only runs the would need as sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) lead off the game with a walk and then stole second and third. With two outs, her sister Andi Gasco would drive her in on a triple to right field.

In the second, the Thunder would add four more runs on a grand slam by sophomore Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) who was making her first start of the season and just her third at-bat. Fellow sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) started the inning with a single to center. With one out, Searles would reach on an infield single and Clark would reach on a walk. Newell would then take the first pitch she saw over the center field fence for her first collegiate homer. The damage could have been worse but the Thunder stranded two runners.

Trine would add two more runs in the fourth as Gasco doubled with one out. Then on a 2-1 count, Lauren Harris would deliver her fifth homer of the season to left.

The Thunder would put the mercy rule into play as they plated four more runs in the top of the fifth aided by three Defiance errors. Trine’s lone hit in the inning came off the bat of senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) after Rachel Harris has reached on an error to start the inning. Harris and Belote would score on an error off the bat of Searles. Daniels would then score on an RBI groundout by Clark. Pinch runner junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) would then score on a passed ball that allowed Newell to reach base after striking out.

Gasco earned her eighth win of the season as she threw the complete game while striking out three for her second career no-hitter.

Gasco’s first no-hitter came a season ago and was also against Defiance in Angola on March 28. It is the seventh no-hitter in school history, and the second this season for the Thunder as Fuller also pitched a no-no against Beloit (IL) on March 5 in Florida.

On the day, Searles and Gasco led the Thunder with three hits apiece. Daniels and Lauren Harris also collected a pair of hits on the afternoon. Newell led the Thunder with four RBIs on the day while Lauren Harris drove in three and Clark collected two. Searles, Daniels, Clark and Rachel Harris all scored a pair of runs on the day.

Trine won’t waste any time as they go right back to action and begin conference play as they travel to Kalamazoo for a 3:30 p.m. doubleheader which will be played at Kalamazoo Valley Community College.

3/30 - Thunder Split Series with Spartans

ANGOLA, Ind. - After a tough game one loss 2-1, the fifth ranked Trine University softball team came back in game two in a big way winning 9-3 to earn a split with Case Western Reserve University. The Thunder now sit at 16-2 on the season.

In the first game, Case scored their only runs of the game in the first inning off a leadoff single, followed by a walk and then back-to-back ground outs.

Trine’s lone run of the game would come in the sixth when freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) hit her third home run of the season to left field on a 1-0 count.

Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) took the loss allowing two runs on four hits and striking out a batter.

It didn’t look good for the Thunder in game two as Case again jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first.

Trine would answer back in the bottom half of the inning as sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) was hit by a pitch to start the inning. After stealing second, Searles would come around to score on a single by Clark.

After Case plated a run in the second on a sacrifice fly, the Thunder would get a runner on in the bottom of the inning but would hit into an inning-ending double play.

Finally in the third, Division III’s fifth highest scoring offense came alive. Junior Jamie Lydick (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) would lead off the inning with a single and then advance to second on a sacrifice bunt. Lydick come around to score on a triple to the left center gap by Searles. Clark would single to once again drive in Searles. One out later, it was Gasco delivering on her 10th homer of the season on a 1-0 pitch to left center. Fellow senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) would go back-to-back for the second straight series with a shot of her own to left field.

The Thunder would put the game away in the fourth as they plated three more runs. Junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) started things off with a double to the left center gap. After Searles flied out, Clark and sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) walked to load the bases. Gasco would come through again for Trine as she delivered her second triple of the season to clear the bases.

In the circle for the Thunder, freshman Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) earned her third win of the season going four innings while allowing three unearned runs on six hits and striking out two. Sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) came on to record her first career save pitching the final three innings, striking out one and allowing just one runner to reach base via a walk.

At the plate, Clark led the Thunder going 3-for-5 on the day with three RBIs and three runs scored. Lauren Harris also collected three hits on the day going 3-for-6 with an RBI and a run scored. Gasco led Trine with five RBIs while collecting two hits on the afternoon. Sarah Belote also collected two hits on the day while Searles scored twice on the bases.

Trine will take a couple of days off before returning to action on April 3 as they travel to Defiance for their rescheduled series from earlier in the month beginning at 3:30 p.m.

3/28 - Fifth Ranked Thunder Hit the Stripes off Tigers

ANGOLA, Ind. - It was a clean sweep in the home opener for the fifth ranked Trine University softball team as they defeated in-state rival DePauw University 5-2 and 8-0 in five innings as they never trailed in either game. The Thunder improve their record to 15-1 on the season.

In the opener, the Thunder ran into trouble in the second as the Tigers loaded the bases with two outs, but senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) escaped damage getting the final batter to fly out.

Gasco would help herself in the bottom of the inning as she hit a line drive over the center field wall for her eighth home run of the season.

DePauw would tie the game in the top of the third on an RBI single.

In the bottom of the fourth, after a leadoff walk to Gasco, fellow senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) took a 1-0 pitch over the right-center wall to break the tie for her second round-tripper of the season.

Trine would add another run in the fifth on a leadoff home run by sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) after falling behind in the count 1-2.

The Tigers would get a homer of their own in the sixth from Linsey Button.

The Thunder would tack on another run in the bottom of the inning without the aid of a hit. DePauw walked four Trine batters in the inning, including Searles with the bases loaded to score pinch runner freshman Riley Larkin (Plainfield, Ind./Avon).

Gasco earned her seventh win in the circle on the season, allowing two earned runs on four hits while striking out seven DePauw batters.

Game two was all Trine from the get go as sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) struck out the side in the top of the first.

In the bottom of the inning, the Thunder would plate the only runs they would need. After a leadoff single from Searles, she would advance on a ground out. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) would then drive her in on a single up the middle. After Gasco walked, one batter later sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) would deliver an RBI single down the right field line to score Gasco from second. The Thunder would then load the bases but would be unable to plate another run.

In the third, Gasco launched her second homer of the day on an 0-1 count that nearly cleared the parking lot in right field. Not to be outdone, Lauren Harris went back-to-back with her second of the day almost to nearly the identical spot as Gasco’s prior homer. One out later, senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) hit a triple to the gap in right-center, and after the relay throw to third was wild, Belote scrambled home to score.

After stranding two runners in the fourth, Trine would put the game away in the bottom of the fifth. Rachel Harris refused to let her big sister have all the fun and she deposited an 0-2 pitch over the center field wall for her fourth of the season. Belote would follow with a walk and be pinch ran for by junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard). After Craig stole second, she would come around to score on the single by fellow junior Jamie Lydick (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield). One out later, Searles would end it as she doubled to the right-center gap to score Lydick and enforce the mercy rule.

Fuller had a stellar performance on the mound for the Thunder as she never allowed more than one DePauw batter to reach base in an inning. Fuller finished the afternoon allowing just two hits and two walks while striking out nine over five innings of work.

In all, five different Trine players collected multiple hits on the day. Searles led the Thunder at the plate going 4-for-6 with three RBI and two runs. Searles also swiped three bases on the day. Her sister, Gasco, went 2-for-5 at the dish with two runs and two RBI. The Harris sisters also both collected two hits on the day with Lauren driving in three runs and scoring twice while Rachel collected two RBI. Hall also collected two hits on the afternoon.

With the two home runs, Gasco broke the Trine University career record for total bases with 291, surpassing Kara Graham (2006-09) who had 287.

Trine will take a day off before returning to action on March 30 as they host Case Western for a 1:00 p.m. non-conference doubleheader.

3/22 - Thunder Dig the Long Ball at Bluffton

BLUFFTON, Ohio - After 11 days off, the weather finally allowed the fifth ranked Trine University softball team to take the field and they showed no ill-effects of the layoff as they took care of Bluffton University 17-1 and 10-1 both in five innings. With the series sweep the Thunder improve their record to 13-1 on the season.

Trine used the long ball all afternoon as they hit eight home runs between the two games against the Beavers.

In the opener, the Thunder scored in all five innings, including plating five in the top of the first, all of which came with two outs. Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) delivered an RBI single and fellow senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) followed with an RBI double. After a walk, yet another senior in Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) got in on the action with the first homer of the day, a three-run shot to right field.

After Bluffton got a run in the bottom of the inning, Trine got another run on Lauren Harris’ second double of the game in the top of the second.

With one out in the top of the third, senior Ashton Morgan (Berne, Ind./South Adams) would walk and Junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) singled. Then, with two outs freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) would take the first pitch she saw over the center field wall.

In the fourth inning, the Thunder got back-to-back home runs by sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) and Belote. Later in the inning, Daniels knocked in a run on a double after Morgan had singled. Daniels would then come around to score on a Bluffton error.

Gasco earned the game one win going all five innings and allowing one run on six hits while striking out four.

After a slow start in the first inning of game two, the Thunder bats came alive in the second as they plated seven runs, four coming with two outs. With the bases loaded, Trine scored twice as the Bluffton shortstop could not handle the grounder by Morgan. Then with one out, sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) singled to center to drive in a run. Fellow sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) would step to the plate with two outs and double down the right field line to score two runners. Gasco would round out the scoring for the Thunder as she hit her second home run of the day.

Bluffton would score their lone run of the game in the second on a home run.

With two outs in the fourth, Rachel Harris would go yard for the second time on the day with a shot to left center.

Trine would plate two more in the fifth as Searles led off the inning with a first-pitch home run to right center. After back-to-back singles by Clark and Hall, Clark would score on an RBI groundout by Lauren Harris.

Sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) earned the win in the circle for the Thunder as she improved her record to 5-0 on the year as she allowed just one run on three hits while striking out seven Bluffton batters.

For the day, the Thunder tallied 28 hits with every Trine starter collected multiple hits on the day.. Gasco, Clark and Daniels led the way with four hits apiece. In all, nine different Trine players drove in multiple runs with Gasco leading the way with five RBI and four runs. Belote drove in four runs while Clark and Lauren Harris each drove in three runs respectively.

Trine will return to action on March 26 at 3:30 p.m. as they head out on the road looking for a little revenge on Ohio Northern who eliminated the Thunder from the NCAA Regional a season ago.

3/13 - Clark NFCA National DIII Softball Player Of Week

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - With the championship game on the line in the gold bracket of the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic, Trine freshman left fielder Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) smacked a game-winning hit to cap off a four-run, bottom of the seventh inning rally for a 5-4 victory against Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

For that success in the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic and in previous games during the week of March 4 through March 10, Kaitlyn Clark has been named the Louisville Slugger/NFCA Division III Player of the Week. She is the first Trine softball player to ever be named the National Player of the Week.

Clark’s impact on Trine’s success started earlier in a week during which Trine posted a 9-1 record with wins against Muskingum, Aurora, Simpson and Beloit prior to the NFCA tournament. During tournament play, Clark and Trine claimed victories over Illinois Wesleyan, Neumann, Mississippi College, 2012 NCAA Division III Champion Pacific Lutheran and Claremont-Mudd-Scripps.

Clark earned MVP of the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic while hitting 12-for-23 (.522) with five runs, two doubles and three RBIs. She also stole one base and only struck out once while recording a .522 on-base percentage and a .609 slugging percentage. In the field, Clark recorded five putouts. For the reporting week of March 4 through March 10, Clark recorded a total of 14 hits in 35 at-bats, eight runs, two doubles, one home run and seven RBIs.

Up next for Clark and the Thunder is a home contest against fellow NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic participant Hiram and three away contests against Defiance, Bluffton and another NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic participant Ohio Northern.

The NFCA Division III Player of the Week is voted on by a panel of eight NCAA Division III coaches from the eight NCAA regions. Player of the Week selection reflects performances from the previous Monday through Sunday of softball action.

3/13 - Softball 5th in New NFCA Rankings

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After going 9-1 on the week, including winning the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Leadoff Classic Gold Bracket, the Trine University softball team moved up six spots in the NFCA Coaches polls to No. 5. The Thunder are now 11-1 on the season.

The Thunder won four games at the Rebel Spring Games to start the week, including a 3-1 win over Simpson who entered the poll this week at No. 18. Trine suffered their only loss of the season in the opener of the Leadoff Classic to Illinois Wesleyan who climbed one spot ahead of the Thunder at No.4. After winning their final two pool games by a combined score of 26-3, the Thunder received the final spot in the Gold Bracket.

Trine showed they belonged, as they took down defending National Champion Pacific Lutheran, who dropped out of the polls from 18th, 5-2 to advance to the semi-finals and a rematch with Illinois Wesleyan. This time, the Thunder would quiet the Titans with a 2-1 win to advance to the championship game. Facing the only undefeated team left in the tournament, Trine used a 4-run 7th inning to comeback and knock off No. 22 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 5-4 and claim the championship.

The No. 5 ranking for the Thunder is the highest they have ever been ranked in school history. Trine will next face Hiram College, who also participated in the Leadoff Classic, in the home-opener on March 16 beginning at 2:00 p.m.

The complete poll can be found here.

3/10 - Softball Wins NFCA DIII Leadoff Classic

COLUMBUS, Ga. - It was a comeback for the ages, as the 11th ranked Trine University softball team rallied from three runs down in the bottom of the 7th to defeat Claremont-Mudd-Scripps 5-4 to win the tournament championship at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Leadoff Classic. The Thunder end spring break with an 11-1 record. The Thunder bested 27 other teams, including 13 of which were ranked in the NFCA top-25 entering tournament play.

Trine freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) was named the Tournament Most Valuable Player after hitting .522 over the six games with 12 hits, two doubles, five runs scored and three RBI. Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) was named the Tournament Most Valuable Pitcher after defeating defending National Champion No. 15 Pacific Lutheran and getting the win over Claremont in the finals. Gasco was 2-1 for the tournament against with a 3.78 ERA and 10 strikeouts with her only loss coming in pool play to No. 8 Illinois Wesleyan. Gasco also hit .353 at the dish with six hits, all extra-bases (3 doubles, a triple and 2 home runs) while driving in nine and scoring four times.

In the opener, the Thunder got revenge on Illinois Wesleyan who handed Trine their lone loss of the Tournament, winning 2-1. Sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) allowed just one run on three hits and striking out five on the mound for the Thunder. At the plate, senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) delivered the first blow for the Thunder as she deposited a 1-1 pitch over the left field fence. Fellow senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) then stepped in a delivered a single. After moving to second on a sacrifice, Belote went to third on a single by sophomore Carly Searles and then score on a passed ball.

In game two, Claremont took an early 2-0 lead in the third on a Trine error and two hits. The Thunder would score their first run in the fifth with a leadoff double by sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). After being pinch-ran for by freshman Riley Larkin (Plainfield, Ind./Avon), with two outs junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton) delivered a clutch hit with a single to left to score Larkin.

Claremont added two runs in the top of the seventh on a bases loaded walk and sacrifice fly. The damage could have been worse, but Gasco was able to retire three-in-a-row, and made a catch-and-flip to Belote at home on a suicide squeeze to retire the runner.

In the bottom of the inning, the Thunder got it started with back-to-back walks by Rachel Harris and Belote. Then with one out, Daniels hit a hard grounder to the shortstop but the throw couldn’t be handled by the first basemen allowing pinch-runner junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) to score from second. Daniels would steal second on the next pitch to put runners on 2nd and 3rd. Searles came up clutch for Trine with a triple to right-center, clearing the bases and tying the game. Claremont elected to pitch to Clark, who had been on fire the whole tournament and she made them pay, delivering the game-winning hit up the middle to score Searles from third and making the Thunder Tournament Champions.

Trine will have the week off before their home-opener on March 16 when they face Hiram for a doubleheader beginning at 2:00 p.m.

3/9 - Softball Knocks Off Defending National Champions

COLUMBUS, Ga. - It was a big day for the 11th ranked Trine University softball team as they won their final game of pool play at the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Leadoff Classic and then knocked off top-seeded and defending National Champion Pacific Lutheran. The Thunder are now 9-1 on the season.

In their first game of the day, the Thunder defeated Mississippi College in their final pool play game 6-0. Sophomore pitcher Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) earned her third shutout of the young season as she struck out six and allowing just four hits.

At the plate, freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) led the Thunder with two hits and an RBI. In the fourth, Clark doubled with one-out and then a batter later, senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) drove her in with a double of her own. Trine added three more in the fifth as junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) drove in a run on a double, sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) drove in another on a groundout and Clark notched an RBI with a single. The team would score twice more in the sixth as senior Ashton Morgan (Berne, Ind./South Adams) delivered a pinch-hit double to score a run and Searles singled to drive in her second run of the game.

In game two, the Thunder faced 15th ranked Pacific Lutheran, the defending Division III champions. Lutheran jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first. In the third, Trine would deliver the dagger as Gasco launched the first pitch she saw over the left-center fence for a three-run shot to put Trine up 3-1. The Thunder would add a run in the fourth on an RBI groundout by Daniels.

Lutheran would get the run back in the fifth despite not getting a hit as Trine committed two errors in the inning. The Thunder were able to escape further damage as Lutheran left the bases loaded.

In the top of the 7th inning, Trine added an insurance run after a leadoff triple by Searles who then scored on a passed ball. Lutheran would get their leadoff batter on in the bottom of the inning, but Gasco was able to retire the next three batters to give Trine the win. In the circle, Gasco allowed just five hits while striking out four.

It was the first loss of the tournament for Pacific Lutheran, and was the most runs they had allowed and the fewest runs they had scored.

With her 4 RBI’s today, Gasco set the Trine career record with 105, surpassing Kara Graham who drove in 102 from 2006-09.

Trine advances to face Illinois Wesleyan in the semi-finals of the Gold Bracket and will play at 10:00 a.m. with the winner advancing to the championship game at 12:00 p.m.

3/8 - Thunder Split Opening Day at NFCA Leadoff Classic

COLUMBUS, Ga. - At the first day of the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Leadoff Classic, the 11th ranked Trine University squad began their weekend with a split. The Thunder fell to No. 8 Illinois Wesleyan 12-11 then came back in the nightcap to defeat Neumann 20-3. The Thunder are now 7-1 on the season.

In the opener, both teams struggled with their pitching, as the bats came alive for the highest scoring game of the day. Illinois Wesleyan scored in each inning, and jumped out to an 8-0 lead after the top of the third inning. The Thunder came roaring back in the bottom half of the third scoring six runs. Trine scored four of their runs with two outs, two of which came on a double by sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). The Titans would score a run in each of the final four innings. The Thunder added a run in the sixth on a leadoff double by Harris who scored on a groundout by junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard).

Trailing 12-7 going in the bottom of the 7th, the Thunder were looking to make a comeback. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) doubled with one-out and scored on a sacrifice fly. Then with two outs, senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) singled to plate a run and junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) singled and scored two more to pull the Thunder within one. Senior Ashton Morgan (Berne, Ind./South Adams) was called upon to pinch-hit and nearly came through as she hit a bullet down the third base line, but was snagged for the final out.

Game two saw the Thunder come out with a bitter taste in their mouths from the earlier loss and Neumann paid the price. Trine’s offense got things started quickly as they put up four runs in the first inning, two of which came on doubles by Hall and senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey). Neumann would add a run in the bottom of the inning, but without a hit.

Trine left no doubt in the second inning as they plated 7 runs including three off the bat of Gasco as she hit her fourth home run of the season. After back-to-back walks, Belote knocked her own three-run shot down the left field line. After Neumann loaded the bases again in the bottom half of the inning, freshman pitcher Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) struck out the final two batters of the inning to squash Neumann’s rally.

The Thunder would score two in the third on a two-run triple by Hall. Trine added five more in the fourth inning, three of which came with two outs. Hall tripled again, scoring two and Gasco singled to drive in Hall.

The offense wasn’t done yet for Trine as they tacked on two more runs in the top of the fifth inning. After a leadoff double by Rachel Harris, she would score on a Neumann error. Then freshman Riley Larkin (Plainfield, Ind./Avon) singled to score Trine’s final run.

Trine will face Mississippi College at 12:30 p.m. in their final pool play game before bracket play begins. The Thunder still have a chance to advance to the Gold bracket but must win to have a chance

3/7 - Thunder Start The Season 6-0 in Florida

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - After winning their first two games at the Rebel Spring Games, the Trine University softball team jumped three spots in the NFCA National Poll to 11th as they head to Georgia for the NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic beginning March 8.

The Thunder backed that up as they closed out the Rebel Games with a perfect 6-0 record. On Monday, Trine pulled out a squeaker in a 5-4, 8-inning win over Muskingum. After surrendering three runs in the first on a home run and another in the third, the team battled back in the bottom of the third to score four runs to tie. With the bases loaded, freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) singled, scoring two. The Muskingum catcher threw wild attempting to retire sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) at third, allowing both Searles and Clark to score and tie the game. After neither team could score in the next four innings, the game went to extra-innings. With a runner placed on second to start the inning, senior pitcher Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) retired Muskingum in order. On Trine’s turn to bat, Clark was placed at second. Sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central) advanced Clark to third on a groundout to second. Gasco then grounded out to the shortstop, but Clark was able to score from third to give the Thunder the win.

In the nightcap, the Thunder earned their third shutout of the week as they defeated Aurora 4-0. Trine got the only run they would need in the third on an RBI single by senior Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). The Thunder would tack on another in the fifth after a leadoff triple by junior Haleigh Daniels. Then, Trine added two more in the seventh on a two-run home run by Daniels. Freshman Justine Robles (Long Beach, Calif./Lake Wood) pitched a 4-hit shutout in her first collegiate start while striking out nine batters.

On Tuesday, the Thunder had their toughest game in Florida but were able to exacted revenge on Simpson after a tough loss last season during Spring Break. Trine scored all three of their runs in the fourth on back-to-back singles by Gasco and Harris.

In their final game in Florida, sophomore pitcher Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) threw her first career no-hitter as the Thunder defeated Beloit. Fuller finished the night with nine strikeouts and was just a walk away from a perfect game. At the plate, eight Trine starters recorded a hit in the game. The Thunder offense scored in each of the five innings. Sophomore Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) hit her first home run of the season, a solo shot in the third. Gasco also hit her third home run of the season, a two-run shot in the fourth.

The Thunder open the NFCA Leadoff Classic facing No. 8 Illinois Wesleyan on March 8 at 10:00 a.m.

3/3 - Thunder Sweept Opening Day in Florida

KISSIMMEE, Fla. - The 13th ranked Trine University softball team swept their opening day of the season as they defeated Concordia (IL) 15-0 and Franklin 8-0.

The Thunder dug the long ball in game one as they hit five home runs in the game. Senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) hit a pair, a three-run and two-run shot. Her sister, sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey), junior Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) and senior Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson) also belted home runs for the Thunder.

Sophomore pitcher Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) allowed just one hit in the game, which came to the leadoff batter in the bottom of the fifth. Fuller finished with 11 strikeouts in the game.

In game two, the Thunder scored the only run they would need in the bottom of the first after a leadoff single from Searles. Trine would score three runs in the third off a pair of Franklin errors. In the fourth, freshman Kaitlyn Clark (Mount Juliet, Tenn./Wilson Central) hit her first career homer, a three-run shot to left field.

Gasco earned her first win of the season, striking out nine batters and walking none while surrendering just two hits.

2/27 - Thunder Picked as Co-Favorites In MIAA Preseason Poll

ROYAL OAK, Mich. - Despite being the only Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association softball team nationally ranked, the Trine University squad was picked as co-favorites to repeat as conference champions by the league’s coaches, tying with Alma College with 12 points. This is the first time since the MIAA began conducting a preseason softball poll that there has been a tie for first. Trine won the regular season title last season but the Scots capture the conference tournament.

The Thunder, tied for 13th in the most recent National Fastpitch Coaches Association Division III Poll, received five first place votes, while Alma received just four first place votes. Coaches could not vote for their own team.

Trine swept last year’s regular season series with Scots en-route to a 15-1 conference record while setting a school record with 40 wins. The Thunder also advanced to the NCAA Regional Tournament Championship game for the first time in school history.

Trine is poised for another deep post-season run as the squad returns seven starters from a year ago, including MIAA Most Valuable Player and Pitcher in senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey). The team will also feature two transfers from Division I Toledo and Division II Fairmount State along with eight freshmen.

The Thunder will open their season on March 3 at the Rebel Spring games before traveling to Georgia for the invitation only NFCA Division III Leadoff Classic beginning March 8. Trine will begin the NFCA tournament by facing seventh ranked Illinois Wesleyan. Trine’s home-opener will be on March 16 when they take on Hiram College.

Poll Results (first-place votes in parenthesis): 1. Trine (5) 12 pts. 1. Alma (4) 12. 3. Hope 24. 4. Adrian 29. 5. Saint Mary’s 38. 6. Olivet 43. 7. Calvin 46. 8. Albion 57. 9. Kalamazoo 63.

1/31 - Trine Ranked 13th in Preseason NFCA DIII Top 25 Poll

LOUISVILLE, Ky. - After winning their first Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association (MIAA) title since 2009 and earning a bid to the NCAA Division III Regional Tournament, the Trine University softball team was ranked 13th in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Preseason poll.

Defending National Champion Pacific Lutheran University was voted the No. 1 team by unanimous selection. Trine was the only MIAA school to receive votes, and came in ahead of Ohio Northern who was the only other team in the region to be ranked.

The 2012 season was a record-setting year for the Thunder, posting a school record 40 wins, powered by a record-breaking offense. Almost the entire roster returns and is primed for a run deep into the NCAA playoffs after the season ended just a win away from a World Series berth.

The pitching staff will be its deepest ever, led by senior Andi Gasco (Levering, Mich./Petoskey) who is the first player in conference history to be named the Most Valuable Player and Pitcher in the same season. Gasco, an NFCA First Team All-Region selection, will be joined in the circle by three returners, including her sister, sophomore Carly Searles (Levering, Mich./Petoskey), fellow sophomore Bree Fuller (Hubbardston, Mich./Fulton) and senior Ashton Morgan (Berne, Ind./South Adams/Wabash Valley).

The infield will once again be solid, led by First Team All-MIAA and Second Team All-Region catcher Sarah Belote (Bronson, Mich./Bronson). Three other starters return in the infield for the Thunder as senior first baseman Lauren Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover) joins junior shortstop Haleigh Daniels (Hamilton, Ohio/Hamilton) and third baseman Jamie Lydick (Plainfield, Ind./Plainfield) to solidify the Trine lineup.

In the outfield, returners include Third Team All-Region selection Searles, junior Jillian Craig (Indianapolis, Ind./Bishop Chatard) and sophomore Leah Hall (Indianapolis, Ind./Franklin Central), who hit third for the Thunder most of last season.

The team will also feature two transfers in sophomores Amy Newell (Three Rivers, Mich./Three Rivers) and Rachel Harris (Uniontown, Ohio/Hoover). Newell spent last season at Division I Toledo, appearing in 21 games in the circle. Harris, the sister of Lauren, started 28 games at third base for Division II Fairmount State a season ago.

Along with a solid group of eight freshmen, the Thunder as poised to take home the conference title and another bid to the regional tournament.

The NFCA Division III Top 25 poll is voted by a committee of eight coaches representing the Atlantic, Central, East, Great Lakes, Midwest, New England, Northeast and West regions. For the complete 2013 NFCA Division III Top 25 Preseason Poll, please visit this link.

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