Trojans Split with Huntington in Two One-Run Games
UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor softball came away with a split of a doubleheader on Monday against Huntington, taking game one 3-2 before having a rally in the final inning of game two come up just short in a 7-6 defeat.
Game one saw both starting pitchers perform well, and it was Taylor's Hannah Klebesadel that earned the win to improve to 3-0 on the season from the circle. Huntington was able to total just three hits off Klebesadel in the complete game performance, as the senior overcame two earned runs in the fourth to keep the Foresters scoreless over the final three frames. In addition to allowing just three Huntington hits in the contest, Klebesadel had five strikeouts and four walks.
The Taylor offense only came up with four hits in the game off Huntington starting pitcher Emily Puterbaugh. Sophomore Jessica Britt had one of those knocks, a big go-ahead three-run homerun in the fifth inning to give the Trojans the advantage that was held up through the final out.
Hannah Robbins, Davis Carter and Erin Tice each had singles in the game, with Robbins coming around to score along with pinch runner Mackenzie Hiers on the long ball from Britt.
The offense for both sides picked up in game two, as Huntington (9) and Taylor (13) combined for 22 hits. Taylor established a 4-0 lead through three innings, but Huntington was able to add all seven of its runs in the fourth and fifth innings to take a 7-4 lead following the top half of the fifth.
Taylor responded with two runs in the bottom half of the fifth but was unable to find the equalizer or go-ahead run, despite its best efforts, against Huntington relief pitcher Ariel Sheets.
After singles from Morgan Allison and Tice in the bottom of the seventh inning, Alex Lovelace stepped to the plate with two outs and baserunners on first and second base. Lovelace's sharply hit ball was almost directly to the left fielder however as Huntington picked up its first Crossroads League victory of the season.
Five Trojans scored in the game in what was a quality offensive performance in the narrow defeat. Ashley Miller was 2-2 with two runs scored and reached base in all four at-bats after being hit by two pitches. Carter finished 3-4 with two RBI and a run scored while Allison went 2-3 with a walk and an RBI. Tice was 2-4 with a double and an RBI and Britt had another quality outing from the plate by going 2-4 with two RBI. Robbins, Anna Gunderson and Lauren Ehle each came around to score as well.
Robbins was charged with the loss in the circle for Taylor, while Lea Buckenmyer earned the win for Huntington. Sheets came in as a relief pitcher for the final two innings to record the save.
Taylor (11-9, 5-3 CL) will be right back at it on Tuesday as it travels to Mount Vernon Nazarene for a twin bill scheduled to begin at 3:00 pm. The Trojans will then return home to Gudakunst Field for two games against Marian on Thursday with the opener scheduled to begin at 4:00 pm.