Kissimmee, FL - After taking the day off in sunny Florida on Sunday, Trinity Christian College softball (2-6, 0-0 CCAC) returned to the diamond on Monday with plenty of energy and focus. The Trolls took down Spring Arbor University (3-3) in the first of two games by a final of 8-5.

In the second game of the day, the Trolls led 1-0 heading into the seventh inning. Sophomore Madi De Graaf was sensational, but Siena Heights (4-1) tacked on three runs in the seventh inning and the Trolls left the tying, and winning runs, on base in the home half. Siena Heights took the game, 3-2.

De Graaf pitched a total of 11 innings between the two games on Monday and allowed just two earned runs.

GAME 1 - Trinity Christian College 8, Spring Arbor University 5

WP: Madi De Graaf (1-0)

LP: Kelsey Sturgeon (0-1)

The Trolls offense blasted out of the gate scoring seven runs in the first three innings. In the first inning, freshman Myleigh Halmon singled to score freshman Maddy McIntyre and the Trinity lead was 1-0. Later in the inning, Mitchell doubled to score Halmon, and the Trolls lead was 2-0.

It was one of four hits for Mitchell in game one. She went 4-for-5 with an RBI. 

After Spring Arbor tied the game at two in the home half of the first, the Trolls stepped back up and scored twice more. This time it was McIntyre with a double to bring home one and a Spring Arbor error to make it 4-2 Trolls. We'd hear from McIntyre again in the third inning.

Junior Jordan Jones doubled to score a run and the Trolls led 5-2 in the third inning. A wild pitch allowed senior Hailey Jurasz to score from third base and make it a 6-2 lead. Then McIntyre delivered a sacrifice fly and the Trolls held a comfortable 7-2 advantage. McIntyre went 3-for-4 with three RBIs at the top of the Trinity lineup.

After Spring Arbor scored twice in the third it was time for De Graaf to take over. She pitched five shutout innings the rest of the way out of the bullpen. Another McIntyre single in the fifth gave Trinity some reassurance and the Trolls got the win, 8-5.

NOTES & NUMBERS:

• Senior Erin Curtin provided some speed on the bases. She went 2-for-2 at the plate and also walked once.
• Jurasz did a great job behind the dish and also went 1-for-2 and walked twice.

GAME 2 - Trinity Christian 2, Siena Heights 3

WP: Jordan Green (2-0)

LP: Madi De Graaf (1-1)

The Trolls scored a run in the second inning off a double from senior Angel Abrand and that looked like it would be enough for De Graaf in the circle. She went the first six innings without allowing a run and surrendered just one hit. But in the seventh inning, back-to-back singles to start the inning threatened the Trinity victory. Another single scored one run, followed by a double to bring home two more and Siena Heights led 3-1.

The Trolls didn't go quietly though. Abrand reached base on an error and with two outs, a throwing error on a groundball off the bat from Jones allowed one run to score. The Trolls trailed 3-2. With pinch-runner Jurasz on second, an infield single from McIntyre allowed her to move up as she barely beat the tag at third base. Unfortunately a fly out ended the game, and the Trolls fell 3-2.

NOTES & NUMBERS:

• After her four hits in game one, Mitchell added one more in the second game going 1-for-3.
• Freshman Alex Hofman had an unbeliveable play in the sixth inning. She faked a throw to first base after fielding a groundball. The runner on second base took off for third and Hofman applied a tag to help the Trolls keep Siena Heights off the board in the inning.  

UP NEXT: Trinity will return for two more games on Tuesday evening at The Spring Games. In game one, the Trolls will take on Bethel University (1-2) at 4:35 p.m. EST. In game two, the Trolls will take on Cornerstone University (3-2) at 7 p.m. EST.