Willett's walk-off home run gives Centre 1-0 win over Trinity

Centre College second baseman Lindsey Willett hit a one-out solo home run in the bottom of the seventh to give the Colonels a 1-0 win over Trinity University Saturday, April 26 in a Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference Softball Tournament (SCAC) elimination game at Millennium Park in Danville, Ky.

The two teams had a difficult time generating any offense off the two starting pitchers. Centre's Tyler Travis and Trinity's Kate Wright were in control early and often.

With the game scoreless into the seventh, the Tigers had an opportunity to get on the scoreboard. Caitlin Richards reached on a Centre error to open the inning. Another error gave Trinity runners at first and second with nobody out. Teresa Greppi then hit into a fielder's choice with the Colonels getting Richards out at third for the first out of the inning. Christina Carni then single to load the bases, but Travis got a strikeout to end the inning and keep the game scoreless.

After a fly out to start the bottom of the seventh, Willett hit her second home run of the year, this one to left-center to end the game and keep Centre (21-19) alive in the tournament.

Travis (8-8) went all seven innings for the shutout victory. She scattered six hits and struck out five while walking two. Wright (12-2) hurled 6.1 innings allowing seven hits with four strikeouts and one walk.

Along with her home run, Willett added another hit in the game in a 2 for 4 effort. Wright and Lee Smith had two hits each for Trinity (19-19) in the defeat.

Centre will next meet Austin College for the second time in the tournament in another elimination game. The Kangaroos defeated the Colonels 11-7 in game one. First pitch is set for later today at 4 p.m. in Danville, Ky.