Long-Ball Fuels League Split with Grace
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – The Trojans (16-13, 13-5 CL) bounced back strong in game two, to earn a split on the road against Grace (10-19, 7-11 CL).
Taylor won an exciting game two 7-4, with both Ashton Whitman and Maddi Evans hitting home runs.
After Grace took an early lead 1-0, TU responded quickly to grab its first lead of the doubleheader. Nicole Brindle pinch ran after an Alexi Clay single, to set the stage. After a sacrifice bunt, Evans stepped to the plate and fell behind in the count before launching a two-run home run down the left field line to take a 2-1 lead.
Taylor extended its advantage in the top of the fifth, adding three runs to its tally. Whitman led the inning off with a solo home run to left, which kept her tied with Evans for the team lead in home runs with four apiece.
The Trojans kept the inning going with a Caitlyn Grim single that forced a pitching change by the Lancers. Jersey Tannehill greeted the new hurler with another base knock. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch, before scoring on a base hit up the middle by Mackenzie Noah.
Taylor responded again in the sixth, after the Lancers had cut the lead to one. Clay led the inning off with a double and Emma West joined her on the base paths with an infield single. Evans moved them over with a sacrifice bunt, before Clay scored on a wild pitch. On the next pitch, Whitman singled home West, to give TU a 7-4 lead that finished the scoring.
Noah (8-7) pitched all seven innings in game two, allowing only one earned run on her way to her eighth victory of the season. Noah has now won seven of her past eight outings, hurling a complete game in four straight starts, and providing big innings for Taylor in league play.
The Trojans struggled in game one on their way to a 7-1 defeat.
After getting behind 3-0, Taylor responded in the third, with a run of its own. With two outs, Evans singled and advanced to second on a wild pitch. Whitman took advantage, belting a single up the middle to score Evans, adding to her team lead in runs batted in, now with 23.
TU's best opportunity came in the sixth, after placing runners on first and second with nobody out. Trailing by three, the Trojans failed to capitalize, and the Lancers stretched the lead to six in the bottom of the inning, putting the game out of reach.
Evans was a bright spot at the plate in game one, collecting a hit in each of her three at-bats.
The Trojans are back in action on Friday against Saint Francis (14-12, 6-8 CL). First pitch in Fort Wayne is scheduled for 3:00 pm.