(SALEM, Va.) - Trine University's bid for a second straight NCAA Division III softball national championship will require a comeback Wednesday after the Thunder fell 11-3 to the University of Redlands in the opening game of the championship series.
Trine wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. Jo Trine opened the game with a two-run home run to center field, and Tyra Marcum followed with a solo shot as the Thunder raced to a 3-0 lead in the first inning.
Redlands answered in the third inning, erupting for six runs to take control of the game. A three-run triple by Maya Holshoe put the Bulldogs in front before another run scored on a sacrifice fly later in the inning.
The Bulldogs added four more runs in the sixth inning, extending the lead to 11-3 and ending the game via the run rule.
Trine now faces a must-win situation in the best-of-three championship series. Game two is scheduled for 11 a.m. Wednesday. If the Thunder win, a decisive third game will follow immediately afterward at approximately 1:30 p.m.
A Redlands victory in game two would clinch the NCAA Division III national championship.
Fans can stream the game free through the NCAA Championship Pass at NCAA.com
or through Trine University's coverage page.
Live statistics will also be available through the NCAA tournament website.