Lehmann and Larkin Lead Offensive Explosion in Doubleheader Sweep
COLUMBUS, Ind. – Offensive fireworks led Taylor to a twin-billing sweep by scores of 15-7 and 12-8 over IU Columbus (0-6) on Friday afternoon, plating 27 runs and launching six homers on the road.
Livie Lehmann and Kaylee Larkin led the offense with six hits apiece in the doubleheader. The dynamic duo combined for four long balls and 11 runs batted in as the middle of the lineup did the heavy lifting to secure a pair of victories. Lehmann scored eight runs and reached base eight times in an incredible showing for the junior, who is a two-time first-team All-Crossroads League performer.
The nightcap saw the momentum swing in each team's favor as the Trojans built a big lead early, with a pair of big innings to start the game. Madisyn Standridge reached on a walk and scored two batters later on consecutive errors before Emily Guthrie delivered the big hit of the inning. The sophomore stepped up with two outs and the bases loaded and delivered a single to plate a pair of runs and give TU a 3-0 advantage.
After surrendering a run in the bottom half of the inning, Taylor continued to produce clutch two-out hits. Larkin belted a two-RBI double with two out and runners at second and third, while Hannah Lickey followed her with a two-bagger of her own to score Larkin. Two-out hitting was key in the game as TU scored eight runs with two outs.
A 7-2 lead evaporated over a three-inning stretch, and the Trojans found themselves trailing by a run heading into the sixth, having lost all the momentum.
Delaney Barton came to the plate as a pinch-hitter with the aforementioned Lehmann and Larkin on base and blasted a three-run home run with one out to give the Trojans the lead back. Lehmann extended the lead with a long ball in the seventh with two outs to give TU some breathing room at 12-8.
Mackenzie Noah (1-0) picked up the victory, tossing two-and-two-thirds innings of relief and holding IU Columbus scoreless for her first win of the year and 35th of her Taylor career.
The opener followed a similar script as an early lead evaporated. Lehmann launched a solo home run to start the scoring, and a five-run second was capped on a three-run bomb by Larkin.
A six-run lead shrank to one in the bottom of the fourth, giving the Crimson Pride the momentum briefly before a big top of the fifth.
Standridge came to the plate with one out and runners on second and third and powered her first home run of the season to push the lead to 10-6 before two more runs crossed the plate to extend the advantage.
Grace Mullins had a terrific game in the leadoff spot, with a pair of singles and a walk leading to three runs scored and an RBI for the sophomore. Lehmann drove her in with another home run in the top of the sixth, and Taylor cruised to a run-rule victory 15-7, with Katie Kottlowski (1-1) throwing two-and-two-thirds innings of relief. The lefty allowed just one run without a walk in a solid performance inside the circle.
Taylor (3-1) has a quick turnaround with a road doubleheader against Indiana Southeast (1-1) on Saturday, March 1, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 pm.