Story by Hannah Evans, Sports Information Student Worker

ANGOLA, Ind.- The Alma College softball team advanced to the MIAA Tournament Pool A Finals Friday. The Scots lost their opening game of the day to top-seed and host Trine University, 5-4, before winning 9-1 in an elimination game against Kalamazoo College.

The first game of the day was a pitcher's duel with neither teaming scoring until the top of the fifth inning when Taylor Griffith got the Scots going with a single up the middle that scored Hannah Solomon to make 1-0 Alma.

Trine responded with a three-run home run in the bottom of the fifth to take a 3-1 lead. Alma was able to answer quick with Emma Fraser hitting one out of the park for a solo home run. The Scots then tied the game with a single by Haley Ullrich that plated Hannah Fleming and made the game 3-3.

The Thunder came back in the bottom of the sixth and made the game 5-3 with another home run. The Scots started a rally with Fleming doubling home Jessica Eva and then loading up the bases, but they were unable to bring home the tying run and fell by one run.

Facing elimination, the Scots went into an early 1-0 hole in their second game of the day but quickly took the lead in the bottom of the first when Hannah Falejczyk knocked in Ullrich for the Scots first run of the game. Chloe Deckrow then came up to the plate and singled to left field and scored Griffith. The game was 2-1 Alma.

The Hornets did not score the rest of the game, but the Scots kept it going with a few more hits in the bottom of the third. Falejczyk singled to left field this time and brought in Fraser. Fleming singled off a bunt and then Deckrow and Hannah Cambe scored on an error by the Hornets to make it 5-1.

In the bottom of the fourth, Fraser tripled to center field and scored Griffith and made the game 6-1. In the bottom of the fifth, Ullrich hit a three-run home run that ended the game due to the mercy rule.

Ullrich threw complete games in both contests on the day for a total of 11 innings pitched. The junior threw a combined 11 strikeouts. Ullrich also had four hits, three RBI and two runs scored as a batter for the Scots 

Griffith, Fraser, Deckrow, Fleming, and Falejczyk all had three hits on the day. 

Alma will have a day off before it goes back to Trine on Sunday to face off with the Thunder in the Pool A Finals. The Scots will need to beat the Thunder two times in a row to advance to the Conference Championship Series. The first game in Angola will begin at 1 p.m. 

Stay up-to-date with the latest news, schedules, scores, recaps and more by downloading the official mobile app for Alma College Athletics. Search "Alma Scots Front Row" in the Apple App Store or on Google Play and download today for free.