Thunder Softball
MIAA Champions 2007, 2008, 2009, 2012
MIAA Tournament Champions 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011
NCAA Regional Tournament 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2012
Average 30 wins a season since 2007
Set School Record with 40 Wins in 2012
2012 Season in review
The Thunder softball team had their best season in school history as they not only advanced to the NCAA Regional finals for the first time, but were ranked as high as 13th by the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The Thunder destroyed most of the offensive record book as they set eight school records this season including a new wins mark of 40.
Junior pitcher Andi Gasco threw her first career no-hitter against Defiance on March 28, in a 10-0 win. It was the Thunder’s first no-hitter since 2010. Gasco also performed well at the plate as at one point she collected nine straight hits, tying her for sixth all-time in Division III history. On April 25, the Thunder collected 16 runs in the first inning of their game against Kalamazoo, which tied for fifth in Division III history. In that inning, senior Kelly Tresick was just the third player ever in Division III to collect three hits in a single inning.
Trine hit the ball well all season as they ranked near the top of the nation in several offensive categories. The Thunder also led the MIAA in several categories including team batting average while setting a conference record for total bases in a season and tying the record for home runs. In addition, Gasco led the conference in batting average and ERA. Her sister, freshman Carly Searles tied a conference record for triples while ranking third in the country for most triples.
The list includes the MIAA Player and Pitcher of the year for softball in junior Andi Gasco. She becomes the first player in conference history to take both awards. Gasco was also named to the All-MIAA First Team joining fellow junior Sarah Belote and freshman Tori Cuebas. Softball also has Andi’s sister, freshman Carly Searles named to the All-MIAA Second Team.
In addition to be named All-Conference, the quartet was named to the NFCA All-Region Central Team. Gasco earned First Team honors for the second straight year. Belote and Cuebas were named second team while Searles was third team. The four-some marks the first time in school history that more than two players have been honored in the same season, and the first time that four players have been honored from a single team out of the MIAA since 2005. Gasco becomes the first Thunder player to be named to the NFCA All-Region First Team twice in her career. It also marks the second straight year and third time in the past four years that they have had multiple All-Region players.
During the NCAA Regional Tournament at Alma College, the softball team also placed four players on the All-Tournament team as they advanced to the championship game. Freshman Leah Hall along with Belote, Gasco and Searles were honored. Gasco was named to the All-Tournament Team for the second straight season.
