SAN ANTONIO - The Trinity University Softball Team split their opening games of Spring Break against Rochester (NY).
 
The Tigers (16-5) secured a dominant 9-1 run-rule victory over the Yellowjackets in game one but fell short in game two, losing 7-2. Samantha Tagawa (Agoura Hills, California / Agoura) had a strong performance at the plate, tallying four hits in eight at-bats. Ella Whitacre (Roanoke, Texas / Byron Nelson) also contributed, going 3-for-5 across both games with two RBIs, two runs, and a stolen base.
 
In game one, Josephine Koelewyn (Reno, Nevada / Academy of Arts Careers and Technology) was stellar both on the mound and at the plate. She pitched a complete game, allowing just one run, while also going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and two runs scored. In the second game, Leah Gonzalez (San Antonio, Texas / East Central) hit the first home run of her career.
 
As a team, Trinity totaled 20 hits across the two games, showcasing their offensive prowess despite the split series.
 
Game One - Trinity 9, Rochester 1
 
After a quiet start to the game, the Tigers broke through in the third inning with an offensive explosion. Angela Baltzell got things started with a single through the five-six hole, followed by Tagawa reaching base with another hit. With two runners on, Whitacre delivered the first big blow, ripping a double down the left-field line to drive in both runs. A passed ball allowed Whitacre to move to third, and she soon came home on a fielder's choice, with her speed causing a throwing error by Rochester's shortstop.
 
The rally didn't stop there, however. Carsyn Lee (Flower Mound, Texas / Flower Mound) reached on another fielder's choice before Koelewyn lined a single to center, bringing in another run. After a hit-by-pitch loaded the bases, Hayden Del Toro (Cypress, Texas / Cy Woods) came through with a clutch two-run single to right-center, capping off a six-run inning that put Trinity firmly in control.
 
Rochester managed to push a run across in the fourth, but Trinity quickly responded in the bottom half. Whitacre got on with a bunt single and immediately stole second. After advancing to third on a groundout, Lee stepped up and laced an RBI single to left, restoring the Tigers' lead to six runs at 7-1.
 
Koelewyn continued to dominate in the circle, keeping Rochester off balance with efficient pitching. She allowed just five hits in five innings, striking out one and issuing three walks. In the fifth, she helped her own cause once again, leading off the inning with a double. Peyton Bowser (Arvada, Colorado / West) followed with a single to left-center, bringing Koelewyn home for another insurance run. After a pinch-runner was inserted, Angela Baltzell (Antioch, California / Freedom) and Tagawa both came up with hits, with Tagawa's RBI single bringing in one more to make it 9-1, completing the run-rule victory.
 
The final score: Trinity 9, Rochester 1.
 
Game Two - Trinity 2, Rochester 7
 
The Tigers struggled to find their rhythm against Rochester in the second game of the doubleheader. After a scoreless first inning, Rochester capitalized in the second. A leadoff walk set the stage for a costly fielding error, and the Yellowjackets took a 3-0 lead after a homer. 
 
Trinity couldn't answer in the second or third, and Rochester extended its advantage in the fourth. A single and another fielding error put runners in scoring position, and then a two-run double pushed the Yellowjackets' lead to 5-0. The Tigers' offense finally broke through in the bottom of the inning when Lee singled to center, setting up Gonzalez, who crushed a two-run home run to left field, cutting the deficit to 5-2.
 
Despite the momentum shift, Trinity couldn't string together another rally. Rochester added two more insurance runs in the seventh. Trinity attempted one final push in the bottom of the seventh when Del Toro drew a walk and Baltzell followed with a single, but the rally ended with a double play. The game would end with a 7-2 Trinity defeat. 
 
Up Next
 
The Tigers will jump back into conference play with a double header against the University of the Ozarks on Friday at noon and 2:00 PM.