Trojan Softball Takes Two over Huntington on Road
HUNTINGTON, Ind. – Taylor softball claimed the season series over the Foresters 3-1 with a sweep on the road Tuesday afternoon, prevailing 10-1 in the opener and 2-1 in game two. Hannah Klebesadel and Hannah Robbins each had stellar performances from the circle.
The Huntington offense was able to muster just six hits in the doubleheader, as Klebesadel and Robbins each threw complete game gems.
Game one was scoreless through the first four innings played, as Klebesadel and Huntington's ace Emily Puterbaugh both got off to great starts. The Taylor offense however got to Puterbaugh in the fifth, as the Trojans produced seven runs to build the healthy advantage.
Taylor was able to bat around the order in the big inning, highlighted by a Jessica Britt two-RBI double and a two-RBI single from Lauren Ehle. The Trojans were also aided by four Forester errors in the frame.
After Klebesadel set Huntington down in order in the bottom of the fifth, Taylor's lead continued to expand in the sixth with three more runs plated. Davis Carter led off the inning with a double but was later forced out on a fielder's choice. Britt soon after added her third RBI of the contest with another two-base knock to score Hannah Robbins. Erin Tice and Anna Gunderson each contributed RBI singles to make the score 10-0.
In its last at-bats of the contest, Huntington was able to manufacture one run but Klebesadel was always in control from the circle, getting Emily O'Leary to fly out to right field to end the contest. Klebesadel improved to 8-1 on the season with her eighth complete game performance and was efficient with just 74 pitches thrown. The senior conceded just three hits, one walk and the one earned run in the win.
Puterbaugh started game two as well for the Foresters and held the Trojan lineup scoreless through four innings as Huntington held a 1-0 advantage after tacking on a run in the third on a double steal against Taylor starter Robbins.
Taylor responded with the equalizing run in the fifth after a triple to deep right center field from Alex Lovelace scored Mackenzie Hiers, who had reached on a fielder's choice.
Taylor's second and go-ahead run came in the seventh as the top of the order was able to produce. Lovelace added her second triple of the game with two outs recorded to get things started, and Gunderson followed it up in the next at-bat with a double to left field to drive in Lovelace for the game's winning run.
Robbins continued to pitch extremely well after allowing just the one run in the third and was able to strand a Forester baserunner on second base with two outs in the seventh to preserve the win. The sophomore allowed just three hits, one walk and totaled four strikeouts for her sixth win of the season.
With the sweep of Huntington, Taylor (24-12, 18-6 CL) is now in sole possession of second place in the Crossroads League standings, four games behind Marian, after an Indiana Wesleyan loss to Goshen in extra-innings Tuesday.