Box Score ALLENDALE, Mich. – The Trevecca Nazarene University softball team (27-12) found success again at an NCAA Midwest Regional. The Trojans defeated fifth-seed Hillsdale College (32-18), 4-2, on Wednesday in the regional's first game.
Midwest Region Homepage
WHAT'S NEXT
The Trojans advance to Thursday's second-round again top-seed and host No. 13 Grand Valley State University (37-7) at 10:00 AM.
The GLIAC regular season and tournament champion is tied 3-3 all-time with the Trojans. Trevecca defeated the Lakers twice earlier this season. The nationally-ranked Lakers ran through the GLIAC tourney undefeated for their third straight championship and are on a 12-game winning streak.
Trevecca 3-3 all-time vs GVSU, 2-0 this season.
Trevecca defeated GV, 8-6 and 4-3, in two entertaining games at the Midwest Crossover at Deacones Park in Evansville, Indiana. The second game went to the eighth inning when the Trojans rallied for the win with a two-run eighth.
Regional runs May 19 thru May 22 at Grand Valley State University (Lakers softball field) in Allendale, Michigan.
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Chargers struck first with a run in the top of the first, but the Trojans answered with three runs in their half of the inning for a 3-1 lead. Brooke Eakes doubled to score Carly Sperlich and Megan Groves. Malone Thrift reached on an error next, allowing Eakes to score.
Trevecca added a run and insurance run their half of the third and led 4-1 through three. With the bases loaded, Kelsey Seitz reached on an error, scoring Megan Groves who had reached on a single.
Hillsdale added a solo homerun in the top of the sixth to set the final margin.
CIRCLE AND BOX NOTES
Raygn Hall (14-9) picked up the win with seven innings of nine-hit work but allowed only two runs and two walks with two strikeouts.
Lenna Robinson, who left with an injury, went 1-1. Megan Groves scored twice, going 1-2 at the plate with a walk. Carly Sperlich (2-3) and Brooke Eakes (2-2) delivered the power with a double each – both scored. Eakes drove in two runs.
The Chargers outhit the Trojans 9-7 but helped the Trojans with two errors while the Trojans returned the favor once.
SEASON ESSENTIALS
G-MAC Standings | G-MAC Stats | G-MAC Scores | 2021 G-MAC Championships
SERIES HISTORY
Trevecca is 3-8 vs Hillsdale all-time and leveled the season series at 2-2. Trevecca eliminated Hillsdale from 2021 Great Midwest tournament and pushed the Chargers to the regional loser bracket today, 4-2.
TOURNAMENT SCHEDULE
Midwest Region – Live Video/Stats
WEDNESDAY – May 19
GM 1 – #4 Trevecca (27-12) def #5 Hillsdale (31-18) – 4-2
GM 2 – #6 Ohio Dominican (29-16) def #3 Northwood (25-13) -
GM 3 - #5 Hillsdale (32-18) def #3 Northwood (25-14) – Northwood eliminated
THURSDAY – May 20
GM 4 – #1 Grand Valley (37-7) vs #4 Trevecca (27-12) - WB
GM 5 – #2 Indianapolis (43-6) vs #6 Ohio Dominican (29-16) - WB
GM 6 – Loser GM 4 vs Loser GM 5 - LB
FRIDAY – May 21
GM 7 – Winner GM 4 vs Winner GM 5 – WB Final
GM 8 – Winner GM 3 vs Winner GM 6 - LB
GM 9 – Loser GM 7 vs Winner GM 8 – LB Final
SATURDAY – May 22
GM 10 – Winner GM 7 vs Winner GM 9 – Championship
GM 11 – if necessary
WB = Winner Bracket
LB = Loser Bracket
REMAINING TOURNAMENT FIELD
1 - Grand Valley State University (37-7 / GLIAC) web / twitter
GLIAC Champion Regular Season / Tournament (AQ). Undefeated run through the GLIAC tourney is third straight championship for the Lakers. Beat region third-seed Northwood 5-3 in GLIAC final. The Lakers are on a 12-game winning streak.
Trevecca 3-3 all-time vs GVSU, 2-0 this season.
2 - University of Indianapolis (43-6 / GLVC) web / twitter
GLVC Champion - Regular Season / Tournament (AQ).
Ranked No. 5 NFCA | First tournament championship since 2016
Third GLVC Title – (2021, 2016, 2012) and the thirteenth (13) consecutive trip to the NCAA tournament. Two D2 final bracket appearances, winning a game in 2009 and 2015.
Trevecca 2-5 vs UIndy, 0-1 this season.
4 - Trevecca Nazarene University (27-12 / G-MAC) web / twitter
G-MAC Champion Regular Season.
5 - Hillsdale College (32-18 / G-MAC) web / twitter
Trevecca 3-8 vs Hillsdale, 2-2 this season, Trevecca eliminated Hillsdale from 2021 Great Midwest tournament and defeated them in the regional opener, 4-2.
Fourth trip to the region and third in the last four years. This is the first time the Chargers advanced as an at large selection, winning their league AQ in 1991, 2018, and 2019.
HC played eight teams in the 48-team field and are 2-6 all-time in NCAA region tournament play.
6 - Ohio Dominican University (29-16 / G-MAC) web / twitter
G-MAC Champion Tournament (AQ), first-ever G-MAC title. ODU has faced every team in the region tournament except Northwood – winning a game against Hillsdale, Trevecca, and Indianapolis
Trevecca is 10-4 all-time vs ODU, 2-1 this season, but ODU beat Trojans 4-2 in the Great Midwest title game.
The second trip to Midwest Region, the first was in 2014 as an at-large selection. Played four ranked teams this season, including a win over nationally-ranked and region second-seed Indianapolis.
TREVECCA TOURNAMENT NOTES
27-12 (14-4 Great Midwest/Regular Season Champion)
Trevecca hit 20 wins for the 21st consecutive season despite a limited slate this season. *not counting the covid-shortened 2020 season when the team played just 18 games, going 15-3.
Trevecca started the 2020 season 15-3, but the season was derailed by COVID-19 and the No. 10 Trojans didn't play a single conference game.
The Trojans started 2021 ranked and have received votes at different times this year.
After a less than the desired start to the season, the Trojans righted the ship and won 13 in a row. Then finished the season winning 12 of their last 14 heading into the regional.
BEN TYREE – 400 WIN BEN
Ben Tyree is the winningest coach in Great Midwest history. He has the most overall and conference wins and the best winning percentage in each category.
Ben Tyree surpassed the 400-win mark in 2020
All-time: 432-180-2
Great Midwest: 129-37
five regular season titles
Post NAIA Era: 314-142-2 (since 2011-2012)
Postseason: 46-22
All-time Conference: 198-54-1 (w/ NCAA/NAIA)
NCAA Active Member: 216-102-1 (since 2014-2015)
Twelve of his 13 seasons have produced 21 wins or more
Only 2020 season, 15-3 due to the COVID-19, is not included
Great Midwest Coach of the Year – four times
Coach of the Year – seven times (w/ NAIA years)
GREAT MIDWEST CHAMPIONSHIPS
Trevecca won the first four Great Midwest Athletic regular season titles and postseason championships, but 2016 is the last time the Trojans did either until 2021 when the Trojans claimed another regular season title.
MIDWEST REGIONALS
After winning the 2016 regular season championship and tournament, the Trojans advanced to the NCAA Division II Midwest Regional for the second year in a row. Both seasons (2015, 2016) the Trojans picked up wins at the region tournament.
Trevecca and Hillsdale (2018, 2019, 2021), are the only Great Midwest team to advance three times.
Not only is Trevecca the first Great Midwest team to advance to the regional level (2015), they are the first to secure wins at the regional level (2015 & 2016).
TREVECCA NCAA REGION HISTORY
2016 – Trevecca entered as the eighth seed and update top-seeded UIndy and then Grand Valley. Trevecca advanced to the finals.
(W UIndy 2-1, W Grand Valley 5-1, L Grand Valley 4-2, L Grand Valley 2-1)
2015 – Trevecca became the first Great Midwest team to get an NCAA region bid, win an NCAA region game, and reach the region finals.
(L UIndy 3-1, W Truman 3-1, W Ashland 4-0, L UIndy 4-3)
The 2021 NCAA DII Softball Championships take place from May 27-31 at The Regency Athletic Complex at MSU Denver.
MORE ABOUT THE TREVECCA TROJANS
Visit the Official Home of Trevecca Athletics at www.tnutrojans.com
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