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Graduating seniors Kara Graham and Sallie Richardson earned all-Central region honors from the National Fastpitch Coaches Association. The seniors were just a few of a number of post-season honors for Thunder softball players.
Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) was a first-team selection. The rightfielder batted .417 in 41 games finishing with 10 home runs, 39 RBI, 11 stolen bases, 106 total bases and a slugging percentage of .763.
Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) was a third-team selection. The shortstop appeared in 40 games, scored 45 bases, 66 hits, stole 10 bases, hit three home runs and drove in 24 RBI. Graham and Richardson were also first-team All-MIAA selections.
Junior Sara Hivley (Kentland, Ind./South Newton); Senior Lauren Hudson, (Lafayette, Ind./Harrison); Senior Amber Matthews (Corunna, Mich./Corunna); Junior Alisha Raak (South Haven/South Haven) and Sophomore Katie Schiering (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) were second-team All-MIAA selections.
All-MIAA team selections are based solely on MIAA contests.
Hivley, a centerfielder, finished with a .423 batting average; plated six RBI.
Schiering, a designated player, started in 14 conference games, batted .468, with 22 hits, three home runs and 11 RBI.
Raak, a catcher, batted .405, drove in 15 runs.
Matthews, a pitcher, finished with a 12-6 recording and a 2.30 ERA in 20 MIAA appearances. Hudson, a pitcher, finished 12-4 with a 2.96 ERA.
GREENCASTLE, Ind. - Trine stood toe-to-toe with the one of the top programs in the country, only to fall 4-3 in an extra-innings loss to NCFA No. 4 ranked Ohio Northern. The Polar Bears are the top-seed in the NCAA Division III First Round playoffs at DePauw University.
Liz Decima gave Ohio Northern the win, late as she connected on a two-out single to score Cortney Cash from second in the bottom of the ninth inning.
Lauren Hudson (Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) drops to 12-4 after she pitched eight and two-thirds innings, allowing four runs, no walks and striking out one batter. Thunder bats generated 11 hits, including Graham who finished three-for-five with three RBI and a run scored. Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) was three-for-four with a run scored. Jessica Hutchinson (Grand Rapids, Mich./Central Catholic) was two-for-four.
Ohio Northern rode the long-ball to take a 2-0 lead as Tina Molnar blasted a two-run homer for the Polar Bears. Trine would take the lead in the third-inning as Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) connected for her 10th home run of the season. The Polar Bears tied it at 3-3 in the bottom of the fifth inning, as Decima drilled an RBI single up the middle.
Trine ends its season 29-12.
GREENCASTLE, Ind. - The Thunder found themselves on the wrong end of a pitcher’s duel, falling 1-0 Thursday to Defiance in the NCAA First Round at DePauw University.
Amber Matthews (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) pitched seven innings of four-hit ball, allowing an unearned run, Yellow Jacket pitcher Justine Johnson went seven innings, with four hits and no runs to improve to 18-9. Matthews drops to 12-6.
Defiance scored the game's only run in the fourth. The Yellow Jackets got the inning started with Melanie Bushman drawing a lead-off walk. Julie Miller would pinch-run for Bushman. Miller advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Two batters later, Kayla Crager would reach on an error by the Thunder first baseman. The fielding error scored Miller to give Defiance the 1-0 lead.
The Thunder weren't without opportunities, stranding eight runners on base. Trine had runners in scoring position no less than three times in the contest, including in the sixth and seventh inning.
Cassie Byrd (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecenia) was the only Thunder batter to collect more than one hit. Byrd finished two-for-two and also reached on walk.
Trine returns to action at 4 p.m. against top-seeded Ohio Northern. WEAX 88.3 FM broadcast coverage begins at 3:45 p.m. Click here to listen to the webcast. Live Stat reports of the in-game action is available by clicking here.
GREENCASTLE, Ind. - Today's NCAA First-Round softball game with Defiance will be broadcast on WEAX 88.3 FM and online. Aaron Coyle's pre-game begins at 9:45 a.m., first-pitch is set for 10 a.m. Click here to listen to the webcast. Live Stat reports of the in-game action is available by clicking here.
Indianapolis, Ind. - For the second-straight season Trine will make a first-round NCAA softball tournament appearance. Trine (29-10,12-2) will open play Thursday at 10 a.m. in the NCAA First Round at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana.
The fourth-seeded Thunder, who missed an automatic bid by losing in the MIAA Tournament, will open Thursday against fifth-seed Defiance in the first game of the tournament. The loser will face top-seeded Ohio Northern Thursday at 4 p.m. in Game Four.
The NCAA First Round at DePauw University features the following teams, listed according to seeding:
1. Ohio Northern (35-3);
2. *DePauw (28-7)
3. Adrian (34-6)
4. Trine (29-10)
5. Defiance (29-10)
6. Thomas More (34-9)
7. Hiram (26-14)
The DePauw First-Round Tournament runs May 7-10. The NCAA Division III finals, hosted by Montclair State University, will be held May 15-19 at the Montclair State University Softball Stadium in Montclair, New Jersey.
Thirty-seven conferences received automatic qualification and five independents were selected for the 2009 championship. The 17 remaining teams were selected on an at-large basis from automatic qualifying conferences and the remaining independent institutions.
Tournament Pairings
Friday, May 1
Game 1 - Alma 5, Adrian 3
Game 2 - Trine 9, Hope 5
Game 3 - Adrian 5, Hope 3
Game 4 - Alma 5, Trine 4
Saturday, May 2
Game 5 - Adrian 6, Trine 2 (Trine eliminated)
Game 6 - Alma 7, Adrian 3 - Alma claims NCAA playoff berth
Visit our MIAA tournament page – click here
Adrian jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the first inning, added another in the third and two in the fifth
en route to a 6-2 win Saturday in the elimination round the of the MIAA softball tournament at Trine University. Trine's late arriving offense managed a run in the sixth and seventh against the Bulldogs. Holly Lowe blasted a pair of home runs to give the Thunder all it could handle.
Trine dropped to (29-10) and hopes for an at-large bid to NCAA Division III tournament. The pairings will be announced live on the NCAA's selection show Monday at 11 a.m. Click here for details
With one swing of the bat, Trine’s tournament destiny was dealt a major detour. Leading 4-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, the Thunder were five outs away from advancing to the championship round.
Instead, a three-run homer by Emily Ross lifted Alma to a 5-4 win and sent Trine to the elimination round. Trine (29-9) will now face Adrian (33-4) Saturday at 12 Noon.
The loser of the Adrian/Trine game is ousted from the tournament and from contention for a automatic qualifier to the NCAA Division III Regional at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. The winner has to beat Alma twice in the championship round.
Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) was two-for-four with a run scored. Katey Schiering (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern) smacked a solo-homer and executed a sacrifice bunt for two RBI against the Scots.
Amber Matthews (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) pitched six innings, giving up seven hits, five runs, four earned. She dropped to 12-4 on the season.
It took awhile for Trine bats to come online, but when they did they had little trouble scoring in a 9-5 win over Hope in the opening game of the MIAA softball tournament.
The late-arriving offense exploded for six runs in the fourth inning to take a 7-5 lead against the Flying Dutch. The Thunder also added two in the fifth.
Tori Blumn (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central) had two hits and two RBI. Alishia Raak (South Haven, Mich./South Haven) went three-for-three with and RBI and Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon)
Next up for the Thunder, a 5:30 p.m. contest with Alma. Click here to listen live to the broadcast
The winner advances to the championship round Saturday at 2 p.m. The tournament is played in a double-elimination format.
ROYAL OAK, Mich.- The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Saint Mary’s College outfielder Ashley Peterson and Trine University pitcher Lauren Hudson its Players of the Week in softball for the week ending April 26.
Position Player of the Week:
Peterson, a junior from Lansing, Ill. (Marian Catholic HS), hit .833 (10-for-12) in four games last week for the Belles, driving in six runs and scoring three. In a doubleheader against Trine, Peterson went 5-for-6, including a home run, double and three singles, and drove in four runs. She finished the season with a .500 batting average, six homers and 35 RBI.
Pitcher of the Week:
Hudson, a senior righthander from Lafayette, Ind. (Harrison HS), posted two complete-game victories in helping the Thunder clinch the top seed for this week’s MIAA softball tournament. Hudson scattered eight hits and allowed two earned runs Thursday in helping Trine secure a split of a crucial doubleheader with Adrian with a 7-5 victory. She then tossed a six-hitter and did not walk a batter Saturday in leading the Thunder to a 5-1 win over Saint Mary’s, clinching the No. 1 seed. Hudson is 6-1 in MIAA play this season and has walked only five batters in 46 innings.
Friday Trine Coach Donnie Danklefsen was planning to share tournament scenarios with his players. The discussion never took place. Before he could even start the conversation, his players told him they were only interested in one scenario: a sweep of St. Mary’s to claim the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association regular season title.
It wasn’t athletic arrogance or swagger, but it was about control. The Thunder wanted to control their post-season destination and destiny. They did just that with 8-3 and 5-1 wins over the Belles Saturday.
The Thunder (28-8, 12-2) captured the tournament’s top seed and will now host the two-day, double-elimination tournament Thursday and Friday. Trine will face number four seed Hope (16-22, 8-6 MIAA) Thursday at 1 p.m. No. 3 Adrian (32-4, 11-3) will face No. 2 Alma (24-11, 11-3) at 11 a.m.
Trine got things started quickly in the first game scoring four runs in the first inning, followed by three in the fourth and one run in the fifth.
Katey Schiering (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) hit a two-run home to highlight the two-run first-inning. For the game Sara Hivley (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) was four-for-four with a run scored and an RBI. Cassie Byrd (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina) was two-for-three with a run and an RBI. Jessica Hutchinson (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central) was two-for-three, scoring a run and recording an RBI. Schiering finished two-for-three with a run scored and two RBI. Amber Matthews (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) improved to 12-3 pitching seven innings, giving up nine hits and three runs.
It was more of the same in the second game, Trine scored two in the first, two in the third and one in the sixth to secure the win.
Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax) recorded her ninth home run to highlight a two-run first inning. Graham finished two-for-four with two runs scored and two RBI. Schiering two-for-three with a run scored. Alicia Raak (South Haven, Mich./South Haven) was two-for-three with an RBI. Lauren Hudson (Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) improved to 11-3 pitched seven innings, allowing six hits and one run.
Trine swept St. Mary's 8-3 and 5-1 Saturday to win the 2009 MIAA title. The victory also means the Thunder have the top seed in next week's MIAA post-season tournament which will be played at Trine. Check back for more game details and tournament information.
ADRIAN, Mich. - The crowning of MIAA title will have to wait until Saturday. Adrian and Trine split Thursday's double-header to open up several conference championship scenarios. Adrian got masterful pitching in a 2-0 first game victory over Trine. The Thunder withstood Adrian 7-5 in the second game.
In the second game win, Trine scored four runs in the third inning to take the lead, adding two more in the fifth and one in the sixth inning to post the win.
Alicia Raak (South Haven, Mich./South Haven) was two-for-three with two RBI and a run scored. Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) went three-for-four with two runs scored. Cassie Byrd (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina) had two RBI. Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) scored three runs.
In the game one loss, Kelly Tomasek pitched seven, scoreless innings allowing five hits and struck out 10. The Thunder were held hitless for five innings.
The Thunder can claim the MIAA title with a double-header sweep over St. Mary's Saturday.
INDIANAPOLIS - The NCAA Division III Softball Committee has released its weekly regional rankings and has the Thunder (25-7, 9-1) ranked fourth in the Central Region. Click here for the ranking.
Citing inclement weather, today's doubleheader at Adrian has been postponed until Thursday. First pitch is set for 3:30 p.m. Aaron Coyle and WEAX Radio will provide a webcast of the game beginning at 3:20 p.m. Click here to listen. Click here for LiveStats
ADRIAN, Mich. - Trine and NFCA No. 25 Adrian will meet Tuesday in an afternoon twin-bill that will all-but crown the 2009 MIAA regular season softball champion and with it top-seed for the post-season softball tournament. The Bulldogs (31-3, 10-2) are also the top-ranked team in the NCAA Division III's Central region.
Trine (25-7, 9-1) holds a one-half game lead over Adrian with just two games left in the MIAA season for the Bulldogs.
Trine will host St. Mary's in a two-game set Saturday. First, things first, Adrian and Trine get started at 3:30 p.m. Aaron Coyle and WEAX Radio will provide a webcast of the game beginning at 3:20 p.m. Click here to listen. Click here for LiveStats
OLIVET, Mich. A little bit of small-ball and a little bit of long ball were the recipe for success as Trine upended Olivet 7-4 and 8-5 Saturday in MIAA softball.
Coach Donnie Danklefsen used an mix of aggressive base-running, well placed sacrifices and hit-and-run situations with extra-base hits All told, Trine recorded no less than two home runs, two sacrifice bunts, two sacrifice flies, a stolen base, two triples and nearly 30 hits for the afternoon.
In the first game, Trine broke up open a 2-1 game with a five-run, fourth-inning hit parade. Sallie Richardson highlighted the inning with a two-run single, Cassie Byrd (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina) also tripled to drive in a run.
Olivet scored two-runs in the fifth and one in the seventh but could pull no closer.
Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) went two-for-five with two RBI and two runs scored. Sara Hivley (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) was three-for-five with one run scored and an RBI. Claire Will (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern) was two-for-four with a run scored. Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) homered. On the mound, Amber Matthews (Corruna, Mich./Corruna) went the distance allowing four runs, three runs to improve to 11-2.
In the second game, Olivet scored four runs in the first inning, Trine would score four in the third inning and four more in the fourth.
In the third, Richardson opened with a triple, was driven in by a Graham single. Later in the inning Jessica Hutchinson (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central) doubled driving in two runs.
Katey Schiering (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) homered driving in two runs in the fifth, Hutchinson would also triple in the inning scoring a run. The Comets scored one run in the seventh to cap scoring at 8-5.
Hutchinson was three-for-four with three RBI, including a double and a triple. Schiering was two-for-four with three RBI. Pitcher Lauren Hudson completed all seven innings with nine hits and five runs.
For the day, Hivley and Richardson both went five-for-nine.
INDIANAPOLIS - Trine University softball is on the NCAA Division III playoff radar. The NCAA Division III Softball Committee has released its weekly regional rankings and has the Thunder (23-7, 7-1) ranked eighth in the Central Region.
But the Thunder aren’t alone in representing the Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association. Adrian (29-3, 8-2 MIAA) is ranked first in the poll. Alma (19-10, 9-3) is seventh. (Trine heads to Adrian Tuesday in a battle for would-be first place. Alma and Trine split a double-header April 11, winning game one 4-3, and falling in the nightcap 8-7.)
There are other familiar foes in the poll. Bluffton (23-9) is fourth. Trine lost a March 17 doubleheader to the Beavers 3-0 and 2-1. Marietta (20-10), an early season opponent is fifth. Trine blanked the Pioneers 1-0 during their Florida trip, March 12.
York (25-10) is ranked eighth in the Atlantic Region. Trine opened the season against the Spartans March 7 with a 7-4 win. In the Midwest Region, Coe (24-8) is sixth. The Thunder fell to Coe 8-1, also on March 7.
The top four-finishers in the MIAA will play a double-elimination tournament with the number one seed hosting. The winner receives and automatic berth to the first-round. Teams who don’t don’t receive automatic berths have the opportunity to earn an at-large bid. Bids are traditionally awarded based on strength of schedule, records and regional rankings.
The MIAA tournament begins April 30. The Central Regional first-round games are scheduled for March 7 to 10 at DePauw University in Greencastle, Indiana. Click here for the current rankings.
Trine improved to 23-7 with a pair of comeback wins over MIAA-rival Albion Wednesday. Trailing 6-0, heading to the bottom of the fifth inning, Trine rallied scoring 10 runs in their final two frames to post the opening game win. In the nightcap, Trine scored three runs in the third inning and five in the seventh to erase an early 3-0 Briton lead.
In the doubleheader, Alicia Raak (South Haven, Mich./South Haven) went four-for-six with five RBI and three runs scored. Claire Will (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern) went four-for-six with two runs scored and four RBI. Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) collected three hits and scored four runs.
In first game, the Thunder struggled early managing just two hits through the first five innings while the Britons had manufactured a 6-0 lead, including a three-run fifth inning that seemingly had Trine on the ropes. The Thunder flipped the switch unleashing a five-run, four-hit fifth inning that cut the lead to 6-5. In the sixth inning, Trine provided more offensive punch, scoring five-runs on three hits to grab the 10-6 victory.
Beth Dunsmoor (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) improved to 5-2 pitching two and two-thirds scoreless innings, allowing just two hits and one hit batter. Amber Matthews (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) worked four and two-thirds of an inning, allowing five hits, six runs, four earned, two walks and one strikeout.
In the second game, Albion got started early plating three runs in the first inning. It would take two more innings before Trine could mount the comeback. In the third inning, the Thunder tied it 3-3. Graham highlighted the inning driving in a pair of runs with a triple. On the next play, Graham forced an error at the plate to score.
Trine made it official in the seventh inning, exploding for five runs and six hits highlighted by a lead-off double by Will, who put the Thunder up on an RBI single by Sara Hivley (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) and two-run double from Raak.
Lauren Hudson (Layafette, Ind./Harrison) pitched seven innings, allowing six hits, three runs while striking out two. Trine is back in action Saturday at Olivet. First pitch is set for 1 p.m.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - Trine shortstop Sallie Richardson, a senior from (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon HS), went 10-for-16 at the plate for a .625 average in leading the Thunder to a 3-1 record last week. In a doubleheader sweep of Hope, Richardson had five hits in eight at-bats, scored six runs and drove in two more. She also went 4-for-4 with a home run in an 8-7 loss to Alma. For the week, she scored nine runs and knocked in four more.
4.11 - Alma, Trine save the best for last in MIAA nail-biters
Don’t underestimate the value of having the last at-bat. In MIAA softball doubleheaders, visiting teams bat last in the second game. Saturday, that was the difference as both Trine and Alma posted comeback wins in the bottom of the seventh inning. Trine captured game one 4-3, the Scots took the nightcap 8-7.
Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) drove in the tying run, then scored the game-winner as the Thunder outlasted Alma 4-3 comeback in the first game. Trailing 3-2 to start the bottom of the seventh inning, Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) belted a double, one batter later, Graham drove Richardson home with a double. Graham advanced to third on a throwing error. Alma then intentionally walked Alicia Raak (South Haven, Mich./South Haven) and Cassie Byrd (Indianapolis, Ind./Scecina) to face Katey Schiering (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor). Schiering then handcuffed the Scot defense with a fielder’s choice scoring Graham from third.
Byrd and Raak led Trine going two-for-three while Amber Matthews (Corunna, Mich./Corruna) notched the win allowing seven hits, two earned runs and striking out two, walking three. Trine finished with nine hits.
In game two, Alma’s Sarah Johnson belted a three-run, home run to lift Alma over Trine 8-7. Johnson’s blast capped a wild game that included five lead changes and erased a 7-5 Trine lead. Trine plated four runs in the top of the seventh inning, including a two-run homer by Richardson, an RBI double by Schiering, and an RBI single by Tori Bluhm (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central)
The Thunder committed four errors, connecting for 13 hits and stranded seven base-runners. Richardson was four-for-four with two RBI. Schiering was four-for-four with an RBI. Graham was two-for-three with three RBI, including a home-run. Lauren Hudson (Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) was tagged with the loss, giving up 10 hits in six innings, eight runs, five were earned. The Thunder are back in action Wednesday afternoon hosting Albion at 3:30.
HOLLAND, Mich. - Trine’s winning streak has grown to 11 straight following 16-2 and 14-0 victories. The Thunder pounded 36 hits, scored 30 runs, belted three home runs as they improved to 20-6, 4-0 in the MIAA.
Clare Will (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern) went six-for-seven with six runs scored and seven RBI. Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) drove in four runs, including her sixth home run of the season. Katey Schiering (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) hit her fourth round-tripper of the 2009 campaign. Alicia Raak (South Haven, Mich./South Haven) notched her first.
On the mound, Lauren Hudson (7-2) (Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) pitched five shutout innings, while Amber Matthews (10-2) (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) allowed just four hits in five innings, striking out three, and allowing two earned runs. Trine returns to action Saturday hosting Alma in doubleheader action at 1 p.m.
ROYAL OAK, Mich. - The Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association has named Trine University outfielder Kara Graham Position Player of the Week.
Graham, a senior from Climax, Mich.(Climax-Scotts HS), hit .923 (13-for-14), scored 10 runs and knocked in 10 more in leading the Thunder to four straight wins last week. In a doubleheader sweep of Calvin in Trine’s MIAA opener, Graham went 4-for-4 in the first game with two RBI, two runs scored and two stolen bases in leading Trine to a 7-2 win.
She then belted two homers, drove in four runs and scored four more in a 3-for-3 performance as the Thunder completed the sweep with an 11-4 win. Graham also went 6-fot-7 at the plate with another home run, four runs scored and four RBI in a nonconference doubleheader sweep of Rochester. Saint Mary’s College pitcher Angela Gillis as its Players of the Week in softball for the week ending April 5.
Trine opened up MIAA play Wednesday, the much the same way it's been playing since returning from spring break: with opportunitistic hitting and home-run hitting.
The Thunder belted 25 hits, drove in 14 runs in 7-2 and 11-4 wins over Calvin. In the two games, Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax Scotts) went seven-for-seven with six RBI and six runs scored. Sallie Ricardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) finished four-for-eight with four runs scored.
In game one, Amber Matthews (8-2) (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) struckout 10, walked one, allowed seven hits and two runs. In game two, Tori Bluhm (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central) went three-for-four with three RBI. Cassie Byrd (Indianapolis, Ind./Scencia) was two-for-four with two RBI. Lauren Hudson (Layafette, Ind./Harrison) (5-2) pitched seven innings, allowing four runs - two earned, striking out two and walking none.
Trine returns to action hosting Rochester Saturday at 1 p.m.
Trine begins its defense of the MIAA title hosting Calvin College in the conference opener for the Thunder. First pitch begins at 3:30 p.m. Catch the play-by-play with Aaron Coyle by clicking here.
ANDERSON, Ind. - Trine improved to 14-6 with a pair of wins (13-5, 6-5, 8 innings) over Anderson Tuesday. In the first game, Lauren Hudson (4-2) completed seven innings with seven hits, three strikeouts and one walk. Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) went two-for-four with three RBI including an inside the park home run. Cassie Byrd (Indianapolis, Ind./Scencia) was two-for-four with a home run and two RBI. Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) was two-for-three with an RBI and a stolen base. Alishia Raak (South Haven, Mich./South Haven) was three-for-four with two RBI. Katey Schiering (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) was two-for-four.
In the finale, Tori Bluhm (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central) ripped a game-winning two-out double in the top of the eighth inning to score Graham. Bluhm finished two-for-five for the game. Richardson was one-for-four with a home run, Graham was two-for-four with two RBI. Raak was one-for three with an RBI.
TERRE HAUTE, Ind. - Trine improved to 12-6 on the season with victories in both games of a twin bill Sunday at Rose-Hulman. The Thunder rallied to post an 8-4 win in the opening game, 14-4 in the final game. Rose-Hulman dropped to 8-12. Trine recorded 13 hits in each contest.
Trine trailed 4-3 to start the seventh inning of game one, and scored five runs in their final at-bat for the win. Katey Schiering (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) belted a grand-slam to highlight the comeback. Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) went four-for-four with two runs scored. Amber Matthews (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) got the win completing seven innings, allowing nine hits, four runs - three earned - while walking three and striking out five. Matthews is now 6-2 this season.
In game two, Trine jumped out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning, and added five runs in the fourth and five in the fifth to put the game out of reach. Sara Hivley (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) went two-for-three with two runs scored and three RBI. Richardson was two-for-four with a pair of hits and three RBI. Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) was two-for-three with three RBI. Schiering hit her second homer of the day in game two. Pitcher Lauren Hudson (Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) gave up seven hits, four runs and struck out two. Hudson stands at 3-2.
Trine is back in action Tuesday at Anderson University in Anderson, Indiana.
Thunder bats were stranglely silent in Tuesday's home opener, the result a 3-0, 2-1 sweep by Bluffton. It's quite a shock to Trine which had very little offensive trouble during its recent spring break trip - averaging about four runs per game. Trine (8-4) is back in action Saturday hosting Mount Union, doubleheader action gets started at Noon.
Trine University softball continues to hone its game, scoring victories over Geneva College and Aurora University Wednesday. In the first game Trine downed the Golden Tornados 7-3, in the late game the Thunder posted a 6-2 decision over the Spartans. Trine is now 6-2 on the season.
Thunder batters enjoyed successful days at the plate with 25 hits, 13 runs and six stolen bases alone against Aurora.
In the win versus Geneva, Lauren Hudson (Lafayette, Ind./Harrison) allowed nine hits and just one earned run to improve to 2-1. Hudson kept batters off-balance, while the Thunder infield provided solid defense stifling Golden Tornado scoring opportunities.
Trine scored four runs in the bottom of the first inning to erase a 2-0 Geneva lead to post win number six of the 2009 campaign. Head Coach Donnie Danklefsen praised the all-around team play especially offensively. “Everyone hit the ball very solidly,” Danklefsen said. “We had good swings and showed good patience against the rise ball. They were very aggressive and played well.”
Sara Hivley (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) went 3-for-3 with two runs scored, Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) was 2-for-4 with a run scored. Tori Bluhm (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central) blasted an RBI double. Alisha Raak (South Haven, Mich./South Haven) drove in two runs.
Against Aurora, Amber Matthews (Coruna, Mich./Corunna) notched her third win. The senior struck out four, while giving up five hits and just one earned run. Richardson hit a double with a run scored. Graham stole two bases and scored one run. Raak was 3-for-4 with three RBI.
KISSIMEE, Fla. - Trine continues to notch impressive wins against quality opponents during their spring break trip.
Sunday the Thunder scored the biggest in the history of the program - a 5-0 whitewash over tenth ranked Ursinus.
“That’s one of most impressive hitting displays I’ve seen,” Trine Head Coach Donnie Danklefesen said.” It’s the highest ranked team we’ve ever beaten.”
Amber Matthews (2-0) (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) got the win, limiting the Bears to just two hits while striking out two.Meanwhile, Thunder bats erupted against one of the best pitchers in NCAA Division III softball - Lauren Davis. (In 2008, Davis posted a 30-5 record, 0.58 ERA and struck-out 322 batters.)
Danklefsen said his players were patient. “We were disciplined and waited for the right pitch. We didn’t chase pitches. We got ahead in the count and we made her pitch to us.”
Trine jumped out in the bottom of the first inning with three runs, one in the second and one in the fourth to put the game away. “We came out and took the wind out of their sails immediately,” Danklefsen added.
Katey Schiering (Mentor, Ohio/Mentor) drove in two RBI. Richardson went two-for-three with an RBI, one run scored and a triple. Sara Hivley (Kentland, Ind./South Newton) went two-for-four with one run scored. Graham scored one run, stole a base and belted a double. Clarie Will (Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern) drove in one run.
In the first game of the day Trine downed St. Francis (Ill.) 7-6 in nine innings. (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) got her first start ever for Trine. Dunsmoor pitched nine innings, striking-out six Bear batters, allowed just four earned runs and six hits.
St. Francis entered the game, receiving votes in the NAIA Top-25 poll.
“She got better as the game went along. The players in the bottom of the lineup came through for us and gave us a big boast of confidence for the second game,” Danklefsen commented.
Things got tense late for the Thunder. Faced with a one-out situation in the bottom of the ninth,
One-out situation in the bottom of the nine with bases loaded, Trine’s defense stepped up recording a pair of infield to end the threat.
Impressive for a infield that is breaking four players. “That showed us that we could really do some good things, it made us see that we really do have everything we need, we just needed to make some plays to give them some confidence that carried over to the Ursinus game
Cassie Byrd (Indianapolis, Ind./Scenia Memorial) went two-for-four with three RBI, a double and a single. Will also went two-for-four, with a double, a stolen base and one run scored.
Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon) went two-for-five with a double and one RBI. She also scored a run and stole a base. Tori Bluhm (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central) was two-for-four with a pair of singles, one run and one stolen base. Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) collected a double.
Saturday Trine beat No. 25 ranked York (Pa.) while dropping an 8-1 decision against honorable mention Coe College. Trine (3-1) returns to action Monday facing Wittenberg at 11 am and Mount St. Joseph at 3pm.
KISSIMEE, Fla. - Trine Head Coach Donnie Danklefsen knew the 2009 squad was a speedy lot, he just didn’t expect to see it so early. The Thunder stole four bases and executed four other situations that kept rallies alive in a 7-4 win over National Fastpitch Coaches Association No. 25 York (Pa.)
“We felt like we had control of the game, apart from a couple errors,” Danklefsen said. “We were able to string some clutch two-outs hits together and put the game out of reach.”
After taking early 2-0 lead, Trine trailed 3-2 heading into the sixth. That’s when the Thunder struck for five runs. Claire Will ( Haubstadt, Ind./Gibson Southern) drove home the go-ahead run with a two-out, two RBI hit. Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon)continued the offense with a double, driving in two runs to make it 7-3.
York added another run in the seven to cap the scoring at 7-4.
Sara Hivley was two-for-four with a double and one run scored. Richardson was 1-for-3 with one stolen base and an RBI. Tori Bluhm (Monroe, Ind./Adams Central) was 1-for-3 with a stolen base and one run scored.
It was the season opener for Trine compared to the 11th game of the 2009 campaign for the Spartans. Amber Matthews (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) pitched six and two-third innings while striking out five and allowing just two earned runs. Beth Dunmoor (Perrysburg, Ohio/Perrysburg) got the save in the final one-third of an inning.
In the second game, Trine fell to Coe 8-1. The Thunder were limited to just three hits - including a solo home run by Jessica Hutchinson (Grand Rapids, Mich./Catholic Central). Coe began the season ranked No. 25 in the NFCA pre-season poll before dropping out of the most recent poll.
Trine is 1-1 on the season and will face Tenth-ranked Ursinus Monday in an 11 am contest and St. Francis (Ill.) at 9 am.
February 22 at Hershey Hall
Trine coaches and Wally King, assistant softball coach at NCAA Division I Syracuse University, will provide instruction in catching, pitching and other skills. Catchers will be provided for the pitching clinic.
Registration deadline is February 15. Students ages 14 to 18 are eligible.
Click for brochure
Students ages 14 to 18 are eligible. For more information e-mail Donnie Danklefsen
or call (260) 665.4444
Trine softball is starting off 2009, the way it ended the 2008 season. The Thunder are tabbed the No. 25 team in the inaugural Division III Softball - The Newsletter preseason Top- 25 poll. It’s only the second time in the history of the program the Thunder have been ranked nationally.
In 2008, Thunder finished 31-8 and 12-4 in the MIAA and were ranked as high as 24th in the National Fastpitch Coaches Association Top 25 poll and earned a berth in the NCAA Division III Rock Island (Ill.) Regional and were ranked fourth in the Midwest.
The Thunder was powerful at the plate and dominating in the field and on the mound. Offensively, the Thunder batted .333 as a team and tallying a .488 slugging percentage, batting .333 as a team, belting 24 home runs, driving in 212 runs and scoring 251 overall. In 241 2/3 innings Thunder pitchers posted a 1.59 earned run average, recorded 11 shutouts, 180 strikeouts and only 36 walks. Opponents scored 81 runs, 55 earned and 36 walks. Six starters and seven returners are back in 2009.
Louisiana College, a third place finisher last season, tallied 366 points and four first-place votes. 2008 National runner-up Wisconsin-Whitewater earned five first-place votes, the most of any school, and was picked second with 362 points.
2007 national championship contender DePauw was third, reigning National Champion Wisconsin-Eau Claire and perennial power Muskingum to round out the top five. The second five is led by 2007 national championship participant Lynchburg, followed by Texas-Tyler, Ithaca, St. Thomas and Linfield. National championship participant Cortland State starts the season at 11, followed by Endicott, Redlands, Rhode Island College and Montclair State.
The remainder of the Top 25 is filled out as Mary Hardin Baylor and Wartburg are tied for 16th, while West power Chapman comes in at 18th, Rochester and UW-Oshkosh, the third school from the WIAA in the top 20. Ramapo, Rowan, Simpson, Illinois Wesleyan and Trine complete the inaugural preseason Top 25 poll. The first regular season poll will appear in the next edition the week of March 9. The poll will be released every other week for the remainder of the season. Click here for Division III Softball – The Newsletter
The Tri-State University softball team concluded their regional action after suffering a 5-1 loss to Maryville University. TSU was defeated by Washington-Saint Louis 1-0 in the opening round of the double elimination tournament.
Maryville jumped on the Thunder early with one run in the first, a three run second, and on more run in the third inning. Kara Graham (Climax, Mich./Climax-Scotts) produced the Thunder’s only run of the regional with a solo homerun in the fifth inning.
Graham, Sallie Richardson (Jackson, Mich./Napoleon), and Vicki Hayes (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) led the Thunder with one hit apiece. Erica Bednarski (Elkhart, Ind./Elkhart Memorial) and Alishia Raak (South Haven, Mich./South Haven) reached base with two walks apiece.
Elise English (Brownsburg, Ind./Brownsburg) took the loss in 2.2 innings of work. Amber Matthews (Corunna, Mich./Corunna) allowed one hit and zero runs in 3.1 innings on the mound.
The Thunder concludes their season with a record of 31-8. Maryville improves to 28-16 and will take on the loser of the UW-Whitewater and Wartburg game.
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