Sutter’s Go-Ahead Hit Pays off Fine Pitching in Game One of Doubleheader

SURPRISE, Ariz. – The 19th-ranked Taylor baseball team (4-3) struck for six runs in the ninth inning of a come-from-behind, 6-3 win in game one of its doubleheader split with RV Ottawa (6-1) on Saturday afternoon.

Brody Fine was excellent in his second start for the Trojans, and the lineup broke a string of 17 scoreless innings against OUAZ pitching when it came back from down 3-0 in the top of the ninth frame. Luke Sutter's go-ahead single was the first of three straight one-out, run-scoring hits that sealed TU's victory.

Taylor opened the ninth inning with its top of the order due up against the Spirit's starting pitcher, who had blanked the Trojans through eight frames. Luke Picchiotti drew a leadoff walk to chase the host's starter, and Mason David greeted the new arm with an RBI-double. Kaleb Kolpien, Sam Gladd and Brayden Manning all walked to make it 3-2, before Brennan Frickel tied the game with a sacrifice fly.

Then, Sutter knocked in the game-winning run, and Ben Kennedy and Ryan Sommer notched a double and single, respectively, to provide the Trojans with some insurance, 6-3.

Dalton Swinehart entered in the bottom of the ninth and collected his second save of the season.

Fine pitched 5.1 innings to open the game, striking out seven Spirit batters against no walks while allowing just one hit and one run.

Jake Boyer and Conner Miller kept TU within reach as they combined to work through the eighth inning, allowing one run each. Miller (3-0) continued to serve as a good omen, collecting a third win in is as many relief appearances to start his season.

Despite the impressive comeback victory in game one, Taylor could not sustain momentum in the nightcap, losing 16-3.

At the plate, Brayden Manning homered and tripled in game two, accounting for all three RBIs in the contest. Manning's triple brought his season total to three, eclipsing his two three-baggers in 2024 and already putting the junior in a tie for the third-most single-season triples in the program since 2006.

Freshman right-hander Lane Lewis logged his first collegiate inning on the mound, picking up two strikeouts in a scoreless frame.

Gage Gongwer, freshman southpaw JJ Prendergast and Jared Crandall helped close the series out, racking up a combined five strikeouts in 5.2 innings of work.

No. 19 TU is off until Feb. 13 when it opens a four-game series against RV St. Thomas (5-2) in Miami Gardens, Florida, at 6 p.m.