Foy, Noah Stifle Goshen Bats in Road Sweep
GOSHEN, Ind. – Taylor secured a road sweep of Goshen on Wednesday, April 26, to secure a spot in the Crossroads League Tournament behind two stellar performances inside the circle by Mady Foy and Mackenzie Noah.
Foy was terrific inside the circle to earn the victory in the opener. The freshman tossed a complete game, striking out a career-high six batters while allowing a single earned run. Foy did not allow a hit until the fourth inning and retired eight straight from the first to the fourth inning.
The Maple Leafs plated the game's first run in the fourth with two back-to-back hits after going hitless throughout the first three innings.
Taylor responded with two runs in the fifth to take its first lead of the day. With one out, Emma West singled and later scored on a double laced to left-center field by Aleyah Rastetter. After Madisyn Standridge drew a walk and Rastetter advanced to third on a wild pitch, a double steal worked to perfection as Standridge got in a rundown to allow Rastetter ample time to score before being tagged out.
After Goshen tied the contest in the bottom of the fifth, the Trojans picked up the game-winning run in the top of the sixth. Delaney Barton doubled down the right-field line before Meg Stanley pinch-ran for her. With one out, Delaynee McCreary launched a double off the center field fence to score Stanley and put TU up 3-2.
Foy then shut down the Goshen offense in the final two frames to secure the victory.
Taylor struck first in the nightcap with two runs in the first inning. Standridge and fellow freshman Livie Lehman drew one-out walks and were on second and third with two outs when Caitlyn Grim ripped a single to left field that plated both and gave the Trojans an early 2-0 advantage.
The Maple Leafs came back to tie the game with runs in both the first and second inning.
Rastetter doubled again to plate West, this time to right-center field before Standridge ripped one of her five hits up the middle to drive in Rastetter for a 4-2 lead.
The Trojans grabbed a couple of insurance runs in the top of the sixth when Lehmann lofted a ball into left-center field with the bases loaded for her Crossroads League-leading 18th double of the season and 34th and 35th RBI of the year.
Goshen scored once in the final inning before Standridge caught a line drive and quickly fired to first for a game-ending double play.
Noah threw a complete game to defeat the Maple Leafs, striking out three batters and allowing three runs in a solid outing for the sensational sophomore.
Standridge tallied five hits, two walks, a double, and a stolen base in an impressive all-around display while batting second for the third consecutive doubleheader.
Taylor and Goshen will face off again on Friday, April 28, in the penultimate doubleheader for both teams in regular season play, with first pitch scheduled for 4:00 pm.