The Trinity softball team lost a doubleheader to the NAIA ninth-ranked University of Houston-Victoria on Thursday, Apirl 12, and Hendrix over the weekend.
“We lost both games, but we were competitive,” said junior first baseman Megan Russell. “I think we need to sharpen up on some things, but we proved that we could play competitively with those kinds of teams.”
Although Trinity lost the first game 3-1, junior pitcher Sydney Friday allowed only three runs on six hits.
“Sydney had one of her best performances in the first game throwing a one hitter, and overall had a great weekend pitching,” said assistant coach Brandi Crnkovic in an email.
Trinity lost the second game 6-4. On the mound, first-year pitcher Lauren Mercado went 5.1 innings and gave up six runs, only four of which were earned. Friday finished the effort, recording four strikeouts.
The Tigers went 3-1 against Hendrix College in conference play on Saturday and Sunday.
“I think the weekend went very well,” said junior third baseman Nikki Powers. “There was one game we should’ve won, but overall I think our team will be where it should be for this next weekend and the conference tournament.”
Trinity won their first game on Saturday 8-0 in a five-inning game. Friday led on the mound, pitching a one-hit shutout and striking out five.
“We were really sharp and our pitching was excellent,” Russell said. “Offensively we executed and did what we needed to do.”
Russell contributed with her second home run of the season, going 2-3 with four RBIs, and senior outfielder Karen MacPherson went 3-3 with three runs scored.
The Tigers won the second game on Saturday 5-0.
Mercado allowed only four hits, while first-year catcher Caitlynn Dykes went 2-3.
“We didn’t have as good of hitting,” Powers said. “I feel like Hendrix is a team we should run-rule every time, but we still did well.”
On Sunday, Trinity won the first game 9-0, but lost the second game 2-1 in an extra inning.
In the first game, Dykes broke Trinity’s single season record for RBIs, while Russell also tied Trinity’s career record for RBIs with 100. Mercado went 2-4 with two RBIs, and sophomore middle infielder Chrissy Armstrong went 3-3.
“It wasn’t the closest game, but we still came out and did what we needed to do,” Russell said.
The second game remained run-less until the top of the eighth, when senior outfielder Rachel Garrett scored for Trinity. However, Hendrix managed to load the bases and, with two outs, drove a single to left field.
“The last game was tough,” Powers said. “We couldn’t get a hit to fall. We didn’t expect it to end the way that it did.”
Next weekend, Trinity will battle for first place in the SCAC West against Southwestern University.
“They’re going to be a tougher team than we saw last weekend,” Powers said. “We’re going to have to have solid defense and timely hitting. They’re our rival team and we’re looking forward to a good bunch of games.”
