TIU Softball 2004 News

April 30, 2004

TIU split a double header yesterday versus Robert Morris College, losing the first game 3-11 and winning the second 6-3.  Jenna Sippel took the loss in the first game, falling to 11-14 for the season, while Duree Purcell scattered six hits in the second game to improve to 13-14.  TIU continued its power hitting ways, as Jenna Sippel, Nicole Mayzer, and Amanda Adams all hit home runs on the day, while Ashley Parker added a triple, and Tina Sparks collected four hits.  Jessica Livingston also provided a key moment for the Lady Trojans, coming up with an over the shoulder catch in the outfield to rob a Robert Morris hitter of extra bases in the second game and preserve the victory.  TIU qualifies for the CCAC tournament as the #6 seed (7-9 conference), and will begin tournament play on Wednesday on the campus of Olivet Nazarene University in Kankakee.

April 29, 2004

TIU faced off against CCAC rival University of St. Francis, continuing a game that had been suspended by rain earlier in the season.  Unfortunately for the Lady Trojans, they were unable to overcome the Saints, dropping both games by scores of 0-10 and 4-7.  Duree Purcell pitched both games and fell to 12-14 with the losses.  Offensive highlights for TIU were provided by Amanda Adams (2 hits, 2 RBI) and Jenna Sippel (HR, 2 RBI).  TIU travels to Robert Morris College on Thursday with an eye toward cementing their place in the CCAC playoffs.

April 28, 2004

TIU traveled to Concordia University and Carthage College early this week, collecting four victories in sweeping double-headers from both opponents.  In the Concordia games (3-2, 4-0), which had been rained out earlier in the season, Jenna Sippel went 5-7 on the afternoon with two triples and 3 RBI.  Rachel Bollinger also contributed two extra base hits, while senior Jessica Livingston reached base with three singles.  Defensively, Duree Purcell and Jenna Sippel combined to limit Concordia to just 8 hits in the two games, and TIU played excellent defense behind them to preserve the shutout in the second contest.

Against Carthage, TIU recorded another shutout, winning the second game of that double-header 3-0 after a 6-1 performance in the first game.  Rachel Bollinger, Nicole Mayzer, and Ashley Parker provided the offensive firepower for TIU, combining for 5 RBI on the afternoon, including four extra base hits and a Parker home run.

TIU resumes a suspended conference game versus St. Francis on Wednesday, and finishes the CCAC season versus Robert Morris on Thursday; both games are scheduled for 3:00 PM at TIU.

April 24, 2004

TIU continued its busy schedule with games against Cardinal Stritch University and NCCAA Regional games versus Olivet Nazarene and Trinity Christian.  TIU split the double-header with Cardinal Stritch (5-7, 3-2 [8 inn.]), bringing their CCAC record to 6-6.  The highlight on the afternoon was a home run by Tina Sparks.

TIU competed in the NCCAA regionals on Friday, 4/23, dropping a 2-15 decision to Olivet Nazarene, and a heartbreaking extra inning game to Trinity Christian 3-5 after allowing 3 runs in the top of the 8th innning.  Amanda Adams hit a home run in each game to lead the Lady Trojans offensively.

April 20, 2004

The Spring Sports Media Guide is now available for download; click here for details.

April 20, 2004

TIU began a busy week of games on Monday afternoon, splitting a doubleheader with Purdue North Central, winning the first game 2-1 before dropping the second 4-14.  Highlights from the afternoon included a stellar pitching performance from Duree Purcell (9-9), who allowed just four hits in earning the victory.  On the offensive side, Ashley Parker hit two home runs in the two games, one of which was a grand slam accounting for all of the TIU runs in the second game.  TIU play host to University of St. Francis on Tuesday, and Cardinal Stritch University on Thursday, before competing in the NCCAA Regional tournament in Elgin on Friday and Saturday.

April 19, 2004

TIU continued CCAC play last week versus Olivet Nazarene University, falling 4-8 and 0-12.  In the first game, Jenna Sippel hit a 2 run HR, and Jessica Livingston went 2-4 with one RBI.  Head Coach John Bernard cited fielding errors as the downfall of his team in the second game, as windy conditions wreaked havoc, condemning the Lady Trojans to 15 errors.

Over the weekend, the team played NCAA D. III North Central College (IL), falling 2-9 and 1-6.  TIU's overall record stands at 17-21, and they play host to Purdue North Central on Monday.

April 13, 2004

TIU drove south to Palos Heights looking to improve on their 4-2 CCAC mark versus Trinity Christian on Tuesday, and came away with a split, winning the first game 6-5, and dropping the second 1-7.  The Lady Trojans won the first contest in dramatic fashion, getting a home run from Ashley Parker early in the game, and a game winning home run from Amanda Adams in the top of the 7th inning.  Jessica Livingston also provided an offensive spark, as she collected four hits over the two games.  TIU's overall record stands at 17-17 (5-3 CCAC), and they continue the conference schedule at home to Olivet Nazarene on Thursday.

April 8-10, 2004

TIU played host to CCAC rival Judson College on Thursday, grounding the Eagles in two games by the score of 8-0 and 10-2.  In the first game, freshman pitcher Duree Purcell tossed a 1 hitter, while Jenna Sippel won the second game, helping her own cause with a 3-4 performance at the plate, including a 3-run home run to put the game away.  Amanda Adams also collected three hits for the victors.

The weekend saw the Lady Trojans at the Robert Morris invitational, where they recorded a 3-1 record with wins over RMC Springfield (13-5), Calumet College of St. Joseph (8-7), and RMC Chicago (3-0).  Their lone loss was a 0-13 defeat at the hands of Bethel College (IN).  Highlights from the tournament included a 3-run home run by Ashley Parker, and what Coach Bernard termed "the best game we've played all year" in an errorless team performance against RMC Chicago.  Duree Purcell and Jenna Sippel split the pitching duties, and their overall records stand at 7-7 and 9-9, respectively.  TIU travels to Trinity Christian College on Tuesday to resume CCAC play, looking to improve on their third place standing (4-2).

April 6, 2004

TIU traveled to NCAA D. II University of Wisconsin-Parkside on Tuesday, dropping two games by scores of 1-10 and 0-10.  Duree Purcell fell to 6-6, while Jenna Sippel dropped to 5-8 with the losses.  TIU hosts CCAC rival Judson College on Thursday.

April 3, 2004

TIU softball hosted its first annual invitation tournament on Saturday with games against North Park University (IL) and Goshen College (IN).  In the game against North Park, TIU continued its hot hitting, as Jessica Livingston and Amanda Adams (2 RBI) both had extra base hits, and Tina Sparks drove in two runs in support of Jenna Sippel, who earned a 5-2 victory to improve to 5-7 on the season.
In the second game, TIU overcame Goshen 6-5 in a nail-biting contest.  Duree Purcell (6-5) recorded the victory, while fellow pitcher Jenna Sippel provided the offense with a triple and 2 RBI.  
TIU went on to drop the final game versus Goshen by a score of 5-8, and play Tuesday afternoon versus NCAA D. II University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha.

April 1, 2004

Trinity enjoyed an offensive explosion on Thursday afternoon versus conference foe Calumet College of St. Joseph, pounding 27 hits over two games to record 11-2 and 17-1 victories.  Jessica Livingston helped to pace the Lady Trojans with 6 hits on the day, while Ashley Parker contributed a double and a home run.  Other offensive stars for TIU were Rachel Bollinger (triple, 5 RBI), Tina Sparks (3 hits), and Jenna Sippel (4 hits).  With the wins, TIU improves to 2-2 in CCAC play, and 9-12 overall.  The ladies host an invitational tournament on Saturday.

March 30, 2004

TIU visited CCAC rival St. Xavier University on Tuesday, dropping both games of a double-header by scores of 0-6 and 1-7.  Head Coach John Bernard cited a lack of offense as the reason for the downfall on the day, but praised senior Heather Patnaude for two stellar defensive plays.  TIU continues the CCAC schedule versus Calumet College of St. Joseph at home on Thursday.

March 27, 2004

TIU traveled to Benedictine University (IL) this past Saturday, dropping both games of a double-header by final scores of 1-3 and 0-5.  Duree Purcell (4-4) pitched the first game, and brought a no-hitter into the 6th inning before Benedictine took control of the game with a single, followed by a 2 run HR.  In the second game, TIU could not get a timely hit in support of Jenna Sippel (3-6), leaving eleven runners on base.  TIU plays at CCAC rival St. Xavier University on Tuesday; the twin bill begins at 3 PM.

March 25, 2004

Trinity played host to Alverno (WI) this afternoon, dominating a twin bill with 7-3 and 8-3 victories.  Duree Purcell pitched the first game, allowing no earned runs to record her fourth win of the season, and Jenna Sippel pitched the second game, improving to 3-5.  Sippel also helped her own cause with two hits in the game.  Other offensive leaders included Rachel Bollinger (3 hits, 2 runs scored) and Amanda Adams (3 hits, 2 RBI).  TIU travels to Lisle, IL to face Benedictine University on Saturday.

March 19-20, 2004

Trinity traveled to Lebanon, IL to take part in the McKendree College tournament over the weekend, dropping four decisions to quality teams.  Head Coach John Bernard cited errors leading to un-earned runs as the reason for the team's demise, but noted the performances of two individuals (Ashley Parker: HR, 3 hits vs. UIS, Tina Sparks: 3 hits vs. Missouri Baptist) despite the losses.  Duree Purcell (3-3) pitched versus UIS and Missouri Baptist, while Jenna Sippel (2-5) threw against Avila and McKendree.  The Lady Trojans host Wheaton College on Wednesday, 3/24 with the first game set for 3:00 PM.

March 12, 2004

Trinity traveled to Greenville, IL to face NCAA Division III Greenville College on Friday afternoon.  The women brought their bats with them, scoring 13 runs in the two games to come away with 3-1 and 10-7 victories.  In the first game, Tina Sparks (triple, RBI) and Rachel Bollinger (2 doubles, RBI), provided the offense, while freshman pitcher Duree Purcell recorded her third win of the young season.

In the second game, every TIU player collected a hit en route to 15 total, scoring 10 runs.  Coach Bernard cited a 3 run 6th as the critical point in the game, and singled out Jessica Livingston (3 hits, 3 RBI), Nicole Mayzer (2 RBI), and Tina Sparks (2 hits, 2 RBI) as the offensive heroines.  Jenna Sippel improved to 2-3 on the season, while Purcell recorded a save, pitching the last two innings.  TIU travels to Rockford College on Tuesday, and Concordia (IL) on Wednesday looking to improve on their 5-4 record.

March 8, 2004

Softball started their season off on the right foot.  While most students traveled to sunny locations for vacation, the softball team went to Tucson and got to work.  They opened the week with a pair of exciting wins over Viterbo (WI) and Concordia (MN).  Then they ran into some tough times losing their next 3.  The rain brought a needed break in the desert as the next 3 games were postponed due to wet conditions.  TIU bounced back to split their last 2, losing to Jamestown 0-4 and winning their final game of the trip against Urbana 6-3.  The game against Urbana was the best offensive and defensive game of the young season for the Trojans as they gathered 11 hits, led by Amanda Adams and Rachel Bollinger.  A couple of freshmen pitchers Duree Percel (2-1) and Jenna Sippel (1-3) proved that the future of the Trojan softball program is on the rise.