FORT WAYNE, Ind. – The Indiana Tech softball team opened up conference play with a two-game doubleheader with the University of Michigan-Dearborn Wolverines on Friday afternoon at Warrior Park.
Game one would be a close affair as only three runs would be scored in the game. The Wolverines would go up 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning after a solo home run down the left field line. The Warriors would respond right back in the bottom half of the inning, tying it up at one after back-to-back doubles by Kennedi Sullivan and Allie Forster. The game would stay tied at one heading into the final inning of play. Warriors' pitcher Savannah Bravo would put the Wolverines down in order with three straight fly outs to give Tech a chance to win it in the bottom of the seventh. Kenadee Schnick would lead off for the Orange & Black with an infield single. Schnick would steal second and third to put the winning run just 60 feet away. Maire Trouba would draw a walk and then steal second to give the Warriors two on and no outs. After an out and another walk, Bella Brock would step up with the bases loaded and one out to win it for Tech. Brock would draw a pitch inside that would escape past the catcher to the backstop, allowing Schnick to come home and walk off the game as Tech takes game one 2-1. Forster would lead the Warriors with two hits and one RBI. Bravo would throw a complete game on the mound to pick up her tenth win of the season. Bravo would throw ten strikeouts, allowing one hit and one run.
In game two, the Wolverines would get their revenge on the Warriors opening up to a 4-0 lead in the fourth inning. The Warriors would get on the board in the bottom of the fourth with an RBI single from Jayme Koning, scoring Maire Trouba to cut the deficit to three. However, the Wolverines would get that run back in the sixth with a solo home run to left field. The Orange & Black would keep fighting, adding a run in the bottom of the sixth to get it back to a three-run deficit after an Alyssa Fox RBI single to bring in Trouba, but Tech wouldn't be able to muster up any more offense falling 2-5. Maire Trouba would stand out for the Warriors in game two going two for two at the plate with a triple, stolen base, and two runs scored. Koning would start the game on the mound for the Warriors, throwing four innings, allowing five hits and four runs with one strikeout in the loss. Savannah Bravo would pitch in relief for Tech, throwing three innings, allowing one run on two hits with one strikeout.
The Warriors move to 18-5 overall on the season and open WHAC play at 1-1. Tech will play No. 24 Madonna University (Mich.) in their next doubleheader on Sunday, March 24th starting at 1pm at home at Warrior Park.
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