After a six-game winning streak for the Tigers, the top two teams of the SCAC squared off on March 25 as Trinity University hosted conference leaders and No. 8 ranked Texas Lutheran University. The Tigers dropped the last game of their two-week homestand 2-9, putting TLU at 3-0 over the Tigers this season and 14-1 in the conference to Trinity’s conference record of 15-3.
TLU pitcher Amanda White earned her 11th win of the season, remaining undefeated with an 11-0 record, while Trinity junior pitcher Jordan Arce recorded her second loss of the season, bringing her record to 5-2.
During their winning streak prior to the TLU loss, the Tigers outscored their opponents 42-7, widening their lead as the SCAC leader in RBIs. Trinity has also stolen a total of 15 bases throughout their streak, 10 of which came from their sweep against Concordia University from March 21 to March 22.
Prior to the matchup against TLU, junior middle infielder Angela Baltzell had recorded a hit in 17 consecutive games, nine of which as multi-hit games.
“Our team works really hard at the details of hitting and kind of breaking down our swings,” Baltzell said. “[We’re] making sure we’re focusing on the little things to make sure we’re getting our outcome.”
Alongside the Tigers’ recent run productivity, Trinity’s pitching dominance contributed to winning 10 of the last 12 games. Sophomore pitcher Megan Kriechbaum threw her second no-hitter of the season against Ozarks on March 14. The Tigers are one no-hitter away from tying the school record for most no-hitters in a season.
“There’s a lot of work that goes into [a no-hitter],” Kriechbaum said. “There’s a lot of bullpen and practice time that goes into just being able to do it, and then there’s a lot of mentality work from my coaches and myself to get me in the best place possible.”
A key part of the mentality that Coach Wittenauer has implemented for her players is “0-0 Monday,” something that she has learned from her coaches when she was playing at the University of Indianapolis.
“We were ranked No. 1 pretty much our whole season,” Wittenauer said. “As awesome as that is, it also puts a lot of pressure on teams. It was more like: stop focusing on the grand scheme of the season and what you’re trying to do and really focus on who your opponent is that week. That to me was life-changing as a player.”
Prior to the games against Concordia and TLU, Coach Wittenauer discussed the importance of implementing “0-0 Monday” into the softball program, emphasizing the importance of focusing on every game leading up to the playoffs.
“I think for bringing it into our program, it’s easy for them to not get so caught up with a SCAC championship, but we really need to focus on Concordia this week,” Wittenauer said. “Because without sweeping them this weekend then why are you even thinking about a championship down the road? So, I think it’s more mentally freeing to think like that on a small scale. That’s why we talk about it at practice.”
The Tigers succeeded in sweeping Concordia, outscoring them 22-6. Although the Tigers have lost all three games to TLU, Trinity continues to make a statement with their dominance offensively and defensively. Their ability to consistently win decisively against weaker conference opponents like Concordia may be instrumental in getting to the postseason.
The Tigers begin their road trip with a three-game series against Southwestern University on March 28 followed by a doubleheader on March 29.
