HILLSDALE, Mich. – The Trevecca Nazarene University softball team (28-10, 10-2 Great Midwest) swept Great Midwest leading and preseason favorite Hillsdale College (20-10, 6-2 Great Midwest) at Johnny Williams Field on Saturday.
The Trojans eight game winning streak was snapped in game two yesterday versus Northwood, but Trevecca are winners of 14 of their last 16 games.
Trevecca trails the series with Hillsdale 12-7 but has won three of the last five meetings.
A RUN THROUGH THE GREAT MIDWEST FIRE
The Trojans have been tested with their opening weeks of the conference schedule. The Trojans have played the other two teams picked in the top three of the preseason coaches' poll and they have played a series against the four teams that join them in the top five of the league standings.
The Trojans are 6-2 versus those four teams – Ashland (7-3), Ohio Dominican (9-3), Northwood (9-3), and Hillsdale (6-2). Add in that they have played all those games on the road. Those four teams are a combined 31-11 in league play and are 29-5 against anyone not named Trevecca.
HOME SWEET HOME FOR A DOZEN
Now, the Trojans get a 12-game home stand, playing the next six opponents on the Hill. They start the
homestand with Malone University (04/05) on Friday and Walsh on Saturday (04/06). Then it's a non-conference double dip with future Gulf South foe Christian Brothers (04/09), Kentucky Wesleyan (04/13), Tiffin University (04/19), and University of Findlay (04/20).
The Trojans final two series of the regular season are on the road at Thomas More (04/26) and Cedarville University (04/27). The Great Midwest Championships are May 1-4 at Firestone Park in Akron, Ohio.
HOW IT HAPPENED
GM 1: TNU 8, HC 0 – F/6
The Trojans were sat down in order for the first three innings, while the Chargers managed two hits in the span. The fourth saw the Trojans touch home six times as the first eight batters reached base safely.
Malone Thrift's double to left center closed the high scoring frame for Trevecca.
Hillsdale only managed to produce a single in the bottom of the fourth.
Kendall Andrews hit a two-run homer in the top of the sixth to set up the run shortened contest. Much like the fourth,
Hillsdale only received a single in the bottom of the sixth as the Trojans collected their tenth shutout of the season.
CIRCLE AND BOX NOTES
* Six different Trojans collected at least one hit, combining for nine.
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Kendall Andrews went 2-4 with two runs scored and two RBI.
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Malone Thrift was 2-3 with an RBI and a run scored.
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Ashlan Sensing (14-6) started and went six innings. Sensing gave up just six hits while striking out six in the shutout.
* Sensing leads the Great Midwest in strikeouts, wins and innings pitched.
GM 2: TNU 11, HC 2 – F/5
The Trojans only did not score in the first inning of this game. The second inning brought home five runs highlighted by Kendall Andrew's second home run of the day, a grand slam.
Ashlan Sensing led off the third with a solo home run and the Trojans added another run in the fourth when Andrews hit an RBI double to right field. Leading 7-2, the top of the fifth brought Trevecca's final four runs and allowed the Trojans to end the game early.
CIRCLE AND BOX NOTES
* Five different Trojans collected at least one hit, combining for eight.
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Kendall Andrews went 2-5 with five RBI, a walk and run scored.
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Maddie Poschke was 2-2 with two RBI, a walk and a run scored.
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Annabelle Ellis went 2-3 with a run scored.
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Halle Grace Patton (7-2) started and went five innings allowing just two earned runs in the win.
NEXT ON THE DIAMOND
The Trojans return home to begin a 12-game
homestand when Malone University (18-8, 4-4 Great Midwest) visits on Friday, April 5.
First pitch with the Pioneers is set for 2:00 p.m. Trevecca leads the all-time series with Malone 11-5 and have won five of the last six meetings.
