Taylor, Indiana Wesleyan Clash Ends in Split

Taylor, Indiana Wesleyan Clash Ends in Split

Team Stats

April 12, 2015

Game One Box I Game Two Box

MARION, Ind. – Taylor softball and cross-county rival Indiana Wesleyan remained in a tie for second in the Crossroads League standings after Saturday's doubleheader, with Taylor taking game one 9-7 before No. 18 Indiana Wesleyan prevailed in the nightcap 4-1.

Game one was a back-and-forth high scoring affair, but it was the Trojans that came away with the victory with a big seventh inning.

After the Trojans scored five runs through the first two frames to build a 5-3 advantage, Taylor relinquished the lead as the Wildcats scored three unanswered runs in the fifth and sixth to obtain a 6-5 edge headed to the seventh.

Taylor showed its resolve however and plated four runs to regain the lead. Anna Gunderson got things started with a walk and was able to make it to third base after a double from Lauren Ehle. With two runners in scoring position and one out recorded, freshman Davis Carter stepped to the plate and belted a three-run home run over the left field fence. Carter hit three home runs in Friday's doubleheader with Goshen, but none were bigger than the one hit Saturday to give Taylor an 8-6 lead late in the opener.

Later in the inning Hannah Robbins reached on a single and moved to second after a Morgan Allison walk. Right fielder Erin Tice came through with a two-out single up the middle to make it 9-6 as Robbins came around to score.

The Wildcats were able to add a run to make it 9-7 in the bottom half of the frame, but Taylor starting pitcher Hannah Klebesadel preserved the win by throwing Sam Hemming out at first base after a ground ball to the circle.

Klebesadel improved to 7-1 on the season with the complete game win. Just four of the seven Indiana Wesleyan runs were earned for Klebesadel and she also struck out three in the contest. Carlie Weaver was charged with the loss for Indiana Wesleyan after entering in relief of starting pitcher Janessa Guevara, who did not make it out of the first inning.

Both of the offenses slowed down a bit in game two in what became a pitcher's duel. Indiana Wesleyan starter Haley Nixon earned the win with the complete game performance, as Taylor totaled five hits in the game and scored its lone run in the first inning on an RBI single from Ashley Miller to score Gunderson.

Hannah Robbins started in the circle for Taylor and allowed just two runs in both the first and sixth innings in the loss. Two of the Indiana Wesleyan runs were earned for the sophomore pitcher, as she allowed six hits, two walks and struck out two.

Taylor (22-12, 16-6 CL) will travel to Huntington on Tuesday, April 14 for a doubleheader with the Foresters. Game one is slated for 3:00 pm.