FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Tech softball team played two thrilling games on Sunday afternoon against cross town rival University of Saint Francis with the Warriors coming out on top in both games. Maire Trouba was the difference in the games as she had not one, but two walk-off game winners on the day!
In game one of the doubleheader, the Warriors would get off to an early 1-0 lead Kaelie Kugler picked up an RBI single, scoring Kiersten Delaney from third. The third inning would be an offensive display as Saint Francis would add three runs in the top half of the inning, while the Warriors would add two runs in the bottom half to even the score at three. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Tech would pick up a run to take a 4-3 lead, but Saint Francis would score two runs in the sixth to go on top 5-4. The Warriors would go down to their final out in the bottom of the seventh inning when Kennedi Sullivan would prolong the game with an RBI single to drive in Trouba from second and tie the game at five. Into extra innings, the score would remain tied through the eighth until Macie Dowd hit a solo shot in the top of the ninth to give the Cougars a one run advantage. However, the Warriors would fight back again through Sullivan and Trouba as Sullivan picked up another RBI single to bring Trouba home to tie the game at six. With nine innings of work already under her belt, Warriors' sophomore pitcher Savannah Bravo would take the mound in the tenth. Bravo would strike out the first batter in the inning and get two of the next three batters out as she went through her tenth frame unscathed, despite throwing 161 pitches in the game! Tech would get their chance to win it in the bottom of the tenth with the score tied at six. Bella Brock would leadoff with a walk, while Taylor Hodgen would reach first on a bunt, moving Brock to second. With two outs and two runners on base, Maire Trouba would be the hero, hitting an RBI single into right center field to drive in Brock from second to win the game. Trouba would finish the game one for three at the plate with a walk, three stolen bases, four runs scored, and a walk-off RBI to win the game. Sullivan would lead the Warriors with three hits and four RBIs in the game, including both game tying runs in the bottom of the seventh and ninth innings to keep Tech alive. Bravo would pick up her second win of the season throwing ten full innings and 161 pitches! In total, she would face 46 batters, allowing 14 hits and six runs, while throwing nine strikeouts.
Game two of the doubleheader would live up to the hype following an intense game one, picking up right where they left both left off, with three runs in the first inning. Saint Francis would pick up one in the top half of the inning, while the Warriors would pick up two to go ahead 2-1 after one. Katie O'Drobinak would hit a sacrifice fly to bring in Trouba and Grace Butcher would hit an RBI double to bring in Alyssa Fox. The Cougars would lead 3-2 going into the bottom of the fourth inning when the Warriors would turn up the heat, scoring five in the inning to go up 7-3. However, the Cougars would not go away easily, going on a run of their own in the top of the sixth, scoring four runs to even the score at seven a piece. With the score still tied heading into the bottom of the seventh, Kenadee Schnick would draw a walk and then steal second base to get into scoring position with one out on the board. Cue Maire Trouba. The junior from Boonville, Indiana would step up to the plate and drive the ball into the outfield, allowing Schnick to round third and head for home. Schnick would beat the ball to the plate, scoring the game winning run on Trouba's second walk-off single of the day! Trouba and Fox would lead the Warriors with three hits and two runs scored in game two, while also adding one RBI each. Schick would also score twice in the game, finishing two for three in the game with a walk. Brooke Hughes and starting pitcher Grace Butcher would each pick up two RBIs in the win. Butcher would also throw all seven innings on the mound for the Warriors, throwing 124 pitches and facing 34 batters. She would allow eight hits and seven runs, but only three would be earned runs, while also picking up one strikeout in her second win of the season.
Indiana Tech improves to 4-0 on the season after defeating their cross town rivals Saint Francis and will face their first road test of the season on Thursday, February 29th when they head to No. 5 ranked Marian University for a doubleheader starting at 2pm.
- TECH -
