(SALEM, Va.) - Defending national champion Trine University is headed back to the NCAA Division III Softball Championship Series.
The Thunder earned their second straight trip to the championship round Sunday with a 5-2 victory over Belhaven University in Salem, Virginia.
Trine wasted little time taking control. Whitney Duell led off with a single before Karley Trine launched a two-run home run to left-center field. The blast was her seventh of the season and gave the Thunder a 2-0 lead.
Belhaven answered with a solo home run in the third inning, but the Thunder quickly responded. Macy Rocha drove in two runs with a single later in the inning to extend the lead to 4-1.
Tyra Marcum added another insurance run in the fifth inning with a solo home run. The blast was the team's 76th of the season, tying the program record set in 2013.
Kami Arnett earned the victory after allowing two runs on four hits over six innings while striking out four. Alex Rodriguez closed the door in the seventh inning to secure the win.
The victory improved Trine's record to 41-6 and sent the Thunder to the NCAA Division III Championship Series for the fourth time in the last five seasons.
Trine will face the University of Redlands in a best-of-three series beginning Tuesday at 11 a.m. A second game is scheduled for Wednesday at 11 a.m., with a third game to follow if necessary.
The Thunder are seeking their second consecutive NCAA Division III national championship.