WINTER HAVEN, Fla. -- Day two of the Heidelberg University softball spring trip saw the Student Princes come up on the short end of two fantastic ballgames.  Heidelberg lost opener, 3-1, to Aurora, then fell to 2022's national runners-up Trine, 1-0.  

The Student Princes had fantastic outings from starters Caitlin Dems and Jessica Voitko.  Offensively, Emma Dean racked up four hits.  

AURORA 3    BERG 1

The Spartans scored two unearned runs in the second to take an early lead.  

In the bottom of the fourth, Emma Dean legged out an infield single and moved to second on a hard hit single to the pitcher off the bat of birthday girl Ellie Tressler.  A groundout sent Dean and Tressler into scoring position with two outs.  Pinch hitter Jessica Voitko delivered a single into shallow left that plated Dean.  

Ahead 2-1, the Spartans added an unearned run in the top of the fifth.  

Heidelberg threatened in the bottom of the seventh. Voitko and Hanna Blasinsky started the inning with singles, and -- after a groundout -- Heidelberg had the tying runs in scoring position with one out.  Aurora starter Rylee Campbell got a pop out and fly out to end the threat, and the game.  

Dems (1-1) picked up the tough-luck loss for Heidelberg.  She went the distance, allowing the three unearned runs on five hits.  She fanned five and walked two. 

TRINE 1   BERG 0

Averaging 8.6 runs per game coming into the game, Trine was aggressive at the plate -- but was kept off balance by Voitko's potent mix of off-speed pitches.  The Thunder was hitless through four innings, and only managed three on the day.  

It seemed like each time the Thunder managed to get a baserunner, HU erased the threat with outstanding defense.  Tressler threw out a would-be base stealer to end the third.  Twice, Thunder runners got caught between second and third trying to advance on bunts.  Dean and Stallbaum made diving grabs to preserve the 0-0 tie.  

Heidelberg had six hits and a walk, but stranded eight baserunners.  

In the bottom of the seventh, Voitko (0-2) departed with the bases loaded. Dems entered, but grazed the batter with her second pitch to force in the only run of the game.  

Voitko allowed three hits and walked six while striking out three. 

BEYOND THE BOXSCORES

• Through four games, Voitko is hitting .500 (4-for-8) ... Dean is batting .333 (4-for-12)
• Dems hasn't allowed an earned run in 14+ innings
• HU's four opponents this season were a combined 122-47-1 (.718) in 2022

UP NEXT

The Student Princes close out the first section of their week-long trip to The Spring Games with games against Wentworth and Penn St. - Berks on Tuesday.  The games are slated for 9 and 11:30 a.m.