Trenton, challenged for second straight night, rides Tolson’s shutout to 3rd straight GRC win

The Trenton Lady Bulldogs continue to set the softball pace in the Grand River Conference’s eastern division, moving to 3-0 with a victory at Gallatin on Tuesday night by a score of 3-0.

Trenton, with their bats, had the better of play early, but failed to capitalize on numerous scoring opportunities against Gallatin right-hander Sami Boyd.  Trenton left four runners on base over the first three innings, three in scoring position, as Ainsley Tolson mowed down Gallatin hitters, giving up only a two-out first inning double to sophomore Karley Salmon over the first three innings.

The game remained scoreless through the fourth and fifth inning, with Trenton’s offense relatively quiet, as the Bulldogs only baserunner in that stretch, Mason Hooyman was thrown out trying to steal.

With Tolson continuing to put up goose eggs, the Trenton offense got on the board in an unconventional way in the sixth.  After a Taylor Richman double put two on with one out, a pickoff throw toward third went down the left-field line, scoring Jaylen Neff for the first run of the contest.

Trenton kept the 1-0 lead into the seventh inning, as Salem Croy threw out Ariel Harris attempting to steal to end the Gallatin sixth.  

Trenton got breathing room in the seventh inning, with a Croy single sending in courtesy runner McKayla Blackburn, and a fielding error scoring Whitley Richman.

Gallatin’s hopes briefly rose in the bottom of the seventh, but a hard-hit ground ball by Courtney Shubert with two on and one out was turned into a double play by Jayden Roeder and Mykah Hurley to end the game.  Tom Johnson had the play-by-play call:

Trenton Coach John Cowling was impressed at the way his team, even with early offensive frustrations, kept battling throughout:

With the win, Trenton improves to 4-0 overall and a perfect 3-0, good for first place in the GRC East.  Gallatin falls to 0-2 overall and in conference play.

Trenton will look to move to 4-0 in conference play, traveling to Bethany on Thursday night to play the South Harrison Lady Bulldogs at 5:30.