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.”