The Triton softball team is making their playoff push as the regular season concludes this week. The Trojans are in a tight race for a top-four seed and potential opening round playoff series at home. Triton took a huge step in securing one of those top spots in the Region IV playoffs with a doubleheader sweep of McHenry County College, winning 2-1 and 7-1 Wednesday in River Grove. The victories were not only only critical towards the Trojans (28-19) playoff seeding, but was also a milesstone for head coach
Christina Christopher who earned her 100th career win at Triton.
Christopher becomes the fourth head coach in program history to reach the 100-win plateau, joining ex-coaches Dan Hull (141), Art Kasak (175) and Vince LaPaglia (101). The Triton alum in her third season as head coach has once again made the softball program competitive similar to when she played under Kasak in 2010 and 2011. As a player Christopher was selected Triton Female Athlete of the Year and team Most Valuable Player her sophomore season.
"Coaching at the school where I played is already an accomplishment for me," Christopher said. "Never in a million years did I believe I would have such success as a coach, but glad I took on the role at Triton in 2016." "Winning 100 games is something I never thought would happen when I started coaching. This team and program means the world to me. I could not have done it without the support of my players, coaching staff and the school."
The first game with the Scots was a pitchers dual as
Giulia Magnelli allowed six hits, one run and struck out a pair to get the complete game victory. Runs were at a premium as the Trojans got on the board in the home half of the second on a
Samantha Wahl RBI single that scored Magnelli. McHenry would tied the game the fourth before Triton got the run that was the difference when
Rebecca Johnson scored on a passed ball in the bottom of the fifth.
In the nightcap, the Trojan bats came to life with a quick three-spot in the first inning. Magnelli opened the scoring with a line out, driving in a run.
Michala Belter followed with a sacrifice fly to plate home
Bailey Williams. Then
Hailey Johansen homered to left to make it 3-0.
The early run support was plenty for Triton starting pitcher
Dana Bunting. She went six innings, allowing one run on one hit, striking out one and walking one.
Kayla Rivera threw one inning in relief out of the bullpen.
The Trojans tallied six hits in the contest led by
Ashlynn Collier and Johnson who collected two hits apiece.
Triton wraps up the regular season with a pair of home doubleheaders as they'll entertain Heartland Community College today at 3:00 p.m. and Oakton Community College Saturday at Noon.
Follow Triton Athletics on Twitter
@TritonTrojans1 or on Instagram
@Triton_College_Athletics
