The Alma College Softball team played host Trine University on Thursday afternoon in a winner's bracket game of the MIAA Tournament. The Thunder was victorious by a 3-1 score in a very evenly contested game.
The Scots, who defeated Adrian 1-0 earlier in the day, are now 26-10 on the season and will play the Bulldogs in an elimination game on Friday at Noon. The winner of that game will have to defeat Trine twice to win the tournament.
In the nightcap against Trine, the Scots loaded the bases in the bottom of the first inning but were only able to come up with one run, stranding three base runners. Sr. RF Amanda Schneider (New Baltimore, Mich./Anchor Bay) singled to start the frame and eventually scored the only run on a single by Fr. 1B Abi Clark (Clinton, Mich.).
Trine answered in the top of the second with a single run as Sarah Belote had a RBI double to make it 1-1. The Thunder then had the big blow in the top of the sixth inning when Belote hit a two-run homerun for a 3-1 advantage.
The Scots got two runners on base against Trine ace Andi Gasco in the third but could not score. From that point on, Gasco was in control and Alma could not dent her for more runs. Trine was able to hold on for the two-run victory to stay in the winner's bracket.
Sr. P Louise Rezmer (Essexville, Mich./Bay City All Saints) pitched seven complete innings to fall to 15-5 on the season. She gave up seven hits, three earned runs, had two walks and recorded six strikeouts.
Schneider finished one for three with the run scored and Clark was one for three with the RBI. So. 3B Lea Lusk (Columbiaville, Mich./Lakeville) and Sr. 2B Kayla Smart (Jenison, Mich./Jenison) had the other two hits for the Scots.
The only run of the first game came in the bottom of the third inning when Schneider singled with one out, stole second and moved to third on a ground out. The next hitter, Lusk doubled to left field scoring Schneider and giving the Scots the all-important 1-0 advantage.
The Bulldogs could muster just three hits off of Alma and Rezmer and only had two runners reach second and one that made it to third. Rezmer did not allow a hit until the fifth inning and not even a single in the seventh could rattle the senior right hander.
Rezmer pitched all seven innings, gave up three hits and struck out 10 to improve to 15-4 on the season. Schneider was one for two at the plate with a run and a stolen base, while Lusk finished one for three with the double and RBI. Four other players had a single hit for the Scots in the win.
Softball Tournament Results and Schedule
Thursday, May 2 at Trine
Game 1: #2 Alma 1, #3 Adrian 0
Game 2: #1 Trine 2, #4 Hope 1
Game 3: #3 Adrian 3, #4 Hope 1 (Hope eliminated)
Game 4: #1 Trine 3, #2 Alma 1
Friday, May 3 at Trine
Game 5: Adrian (11-5, 18-16) vs. Alma (13-3 26-10), noon
Game 6: Trine (16-0, 35-3) vs. Game 5 winner, 2 p.m.
Game 7: If necessary, 4 p.m.
Click here for the MIAA softball tournament page
