DEERFIELD, Ill. --- Yesterday afternoon the Trojans wrapped up their 2022 season with a couple of home games against the Trolls of Trinity Christian College. A tough final inning defensively caused the Trojans to fall in the first game before bouncing back and ending the season with an exciting win.
 
Game One: TIU 2, Trinity Christian 10
The Trolls took an early lead after two innings while holding the Trojans scoreless.

At the bottom of the third inning, TIU collected two hits while taking advantage of a wild pitch to put one on the scoreboard and cut the Trolls' lead to 1-3.

Stepping up their defensive efforts, the Trojans kept Trinity Christian to minimal batter in the fourth and fifth innings.

At the plate in the bottom of the fifth, TIU connected for three hits and another run. Meghan Ramseyer and Hailey Kuriger hit back to back singles before Britney Knox walked. With bases loaded, Brooke Heraty hit an RBI single and closed the score gap, 2-3. The Trolls sharpened their defense and the Trinity failed to convert any further.

Trinity Christian led off with a double at the top of the sixth to set the tone for a strong inning. The Trolls collected six hits and seven runs, ending the inning with a 10-2 lead that would force an early ending to the game after the Trojans fell short answering in the bottom of the sixth.
 
Game Two: TIU 6, Trinity Christian 5
Looking to end the season on a high note, Trinity stepped up their defense and from the circle, Morgann Paaske kept the Trolls to four hits in the first six innings.
Britney Knox singled to left field in the bottom of the first, followed by Brooke Heraty walking to her base but the Trojans were unable to create momentum.

In the second, third and fourth innings, TIU continued to struggle to put anything on the scoreboard. Their only hits came from Jacqueline Kamery with a single and Brooke Heraty with her 25th career double in the bottom of the third.

Breaking the scoreless game, TIU collected the first run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Madison Lenzke singled to right field then advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kamery. Hailey Kuriger followed with a single to center field and Lenzke rounded the bases. Kuriger stole second with Britney Knox at the plate, increasing her career stolen bases record to 24 bases. Knox singled to left field, advancing Kuriger to third base but the Trojans would leave her there as the inning ended with the third out.

Trinity Christian answered in the top of the sixth inning and tied the game.

At the bottom of the sixth inning, Gina Loy led off for the Trojans with a single to center field, before advancing twice on wild pitches. Two consecutive walks by Paige Hintz and Josie Nelson set the bases loaded with Waverly Miller up to bat. Miller reached first on a fielder's choice before Madison Lenzke took the plate and was hit by the pitch to score one. Britney Knox came to bat shortly after and hit an RBI single to shortstop for Trinity's fourth run of the game. Two more pitching mistakes by the Trolls would send two more runs home for the Trojans and give them a 6-1 lead ending the sixth inning.

The Trolls took their final at bat in the top of the seventh, looking for a rally to force extra innings but fell short. After three early walks, Trinity made a pitching change and placed Jacqueline Kamery in the circle to close the game. A Trojan error sacrificed a routine third out, but a quick recovery on the same play led to a tag out by Brooke Heraty at home plate to end the game and secure a Trojan victory on senior day.
 
Senior Day:
In between games, TIU took a few minutes to honor six graduating seniors: Heather Anderson, Brooke Heraty, Britney Knox, Hailey Kuriger, Madison Lenzke and Gina Loy for their commitment and dedication to TIU Athletics throughout their careers. They were escorted by family and friends as their career accomplishments were read out and celebrated.
 
Unfortunately, the Trojans will not qualify for postseason play and conclude their season with a final record of 4-23 overall and 4-18 in conference.
 

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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.