LA CROSSE, Wisc. --- The Trojan softball team continued their non-conference slate of games on Saturday afternoon as they visited the V-Hawks of Viterbo University. Coming off an exhibition sweep of NJCAA College of Lake County, the Trojans looked to keep their bats hot as the conference schedule begins next week.
Hailey Baker would earn starting duties for the Trojans on the mound. Both Baker and Viterbo's Amanda Bogdonovi would give up at least 11 hits each, but it would be Baker who had better command over her pitches, striking out three and walking only two batters. Kristin Storer would score TIU's first run of the game as she crossed home plate after Dana Percival fouled out to left field.Â
Waverly Miller scored on an RBI single by Alyssa Frey in the second inning, and Britney Knox would score as Miller hit into a fielder's choice in the third. In the sixth inning, with the V-Hawks leading by one run, Knox notched an infield single to the pitcher to score Gina Loy from third to take a one run lead. Heather Anderson gave Trinity a padded lead in the seventh with a solo home run to close out the 5-4 game one win.
Frey took the mound in game two after a solid performance last Wednesday, looking to continue her strong play as of late. With six strikeouts, Frey posted one of her best pitching performances of the season with a one hit shutout of the V-Hawks with no walks allowed.
In the batter's box, TIU went to work early as Knox and Lauren Neveau scored on a two-run double by Brooke Hearty. Anderson would double down the left field line in the very next at-bat to score Hearty and Percival to double their lead to 4-0. The offense output would continue in the second as Neveau and Kayla Stacy crossed home plate on a pitching error and wild pitch respectively. Anderson notched her third RBI of the game on a single to center field to score Percival, while Baker recorded a two-run single to right field to give the Trojans an 8-0 lead. Storer would put the final touches on a dominant performance with a two-run single of herself to center to bring home Loy and Baker in the fifth, en route to an 11-0 rout of Viterbo in five innings.
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ADDITIONAL GAME NOTES
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With Saturday's sweep of the V-Hawks, the Trojans improve to 4-6 all-time against Viterbo.
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After earning the win in game one, Hailey Baker's pitching record improves to 3-2 on the season.
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Heather Anderson's solo home run in game one was the first of her career.
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Frey picked up her second win of the season with her pitching victory in game two. Her record on the season is now 2-5.
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Frey's one hit allowed in game two is the fewest the TIU pitching staff has allowed this season.
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Trinity's 11 run performance in game two were the most scored since shutting out Briar Cliff (IA) last season on March 4 at the Spring Games in Kissimmee, Florida. It was the final game before the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID-19.
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Lauren Neveau's four hits on Saturday give her 122 for her career, moving her past Jessica Vroman (2017-18) for fourth on the program's all-time hits list.
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Trinity International University is a comprehensive, national university affiliated with the Evangelical Free Church of America and located in Bannockburn, Illinois, 25 miles north of Chicago. TIU educates men and women to engage in God's redemptive work in the world by cultivating academic excellence, Christian faithfulness and lifelong learning.
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