BLOOMINGTON, Ill. — The Virginia Wesleyan University softball team dropped its opening game of the NCAA Division III Softball Championship series, falling 8-1 to Trine on Monday. Despite striking early, the Marlins couldn’t contain the Thunder’s offense in the later innings.

Virginia Wesleyan (49-5-1, 21-1 ODAC) opened the game with momentum. Leadoff hitter Sarah Prosser got things started with a sharp single down the left field line. After a double by Laci Campbell put runners on second and third, Morgan Tucker delivered a sacrifice fly to center, allowing Prosser to score and giving the Marlins an early 1-0 lead.

That edge didn’t last long. Trine answered in the bottom of the second with a pair of runs on three hits to take a 2-1 lead. The Thunder added to their advantage with two more

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