MOUNT VERNON, Ohio – Taylor's incredible offensive output paired with Claire Cullen's terrific night inside the circle for a sweep of Mount Vernon Nazarene in the Crossroads League opening doubleheader for both squads.
Cullen started the opener for the first time in her collegiate career and was outstanding, delivering a shutout as TU run-ruled the Cougars 8-0 in five innings. The freshman fanned a pair and gave up five hits in the shutout win. Cullen also earned her first save of the year with a clean inning of work to close the nightcap.
The offense got going early, scoring three runs to begin the game. Grace Mullins walked to lead off the frame and advanced to third on a double by Madisyn Standridge before Livie Lehmann matched her junior counterpart with a double over the center fielder's head to drive in a pair. Lehmann crossed the plate a batter later on a sacrifice fly.
Lehmann added another two-bagger in the second, plating Mullins and Standridge again before Mullins doubled in a run in a three-run third and finished the day 3-3 at the plate with a pair of doubles, three runs scored, and three RBI.
MVNU had its best chance in the bottom of the third after loading the bases with one out. Cullen calmly struck out the next batter before inducing a weak fly ball to right to end the inning and the threat.
Jayci Kitchen walked to begin the nightcap, followed by another double by Standridge, and both scored on back-to-back fly balls.
After MVNU (7-4, 0-2 CL) got on the scoreboard with a run in the third, Bella Browning lined a single to center with runners on second and third to push the lead to 4-1.
The Cougars finally found some offensive footing in the bottom of the fifth, scoring five times, including a bases-clearing triple to give them their first lead of the day.
Taylor had an emphatic response in the sixth, beginning the inning with a trio of singles and taking the lead back on a two-RBI double by pinch-hitter Mullins. TU didn't slow down, and the biggest hit of the inning was by Standridge, who rocketed a bases-clearing triple to right field before scoring a batter later to cap the eight-run inning.
MVNU came back with four runs in the bottom of the inning to put pressure on the Trojans, with the scoreboard reading 12-10 going into the final frame.
Cullen came in the bottom half after a scoreless seventh from Taylor, which provided a save opportunity for the freshman. The righty saw the Cougars load the bases with two outs before inducing a ground ball to short, which ended the game and secured a CL-opening sweep for TU.
Standridge finished the evening with three extra-base hits, four runs scored, and three RBI as the junior continues her terrific start to the season. Lehmann added six RBI to her CL lead and a pair of two-baggers to get within three of the program record at 51.
Taylor (11-3, 2-0 CL) plays its long-awaited home opener on Friday, March 14, against cross-county rival No. 18 Indiana Wesleyan (10-2, 2-0 CL). The first pitch is set for 4:00 pm at Gudakunst field.
