Reeds Sparks Comeback as Trojans Split at Milligan
MILLIGAN COLLEGE, Tenn. – After suffering a shutout loss in Friday's opener at Milligan, Lincoln Reed ripped three extra-base hits, including a game-tying home run in the seventh to help Taylor score a 7-6 win in 10 innings of the nightcap.
Reed started the comeback with a run-scoring double in the fifth to narrow TU's deficit to 5-3 and then tied the game in his next at bat by leaving the yard with a solo blast to open the top of the seventh inning.
Reed doubled again to start the ninth inning, but Taylor could not capitalize on the third-straight extra-base hit from its senior backstop. The Trojans did take advantage of a leadoff double by Tanner Watson in the 10th however, as Brian Moore plated Watson with a go-ahead sacrifice fly and TU added a second run on an error.
The insurance tally was needed, as Milligan pushed a run home in the bottom half of the 10th, before leaving the bases loaded, as Taylor finished off the 7-6 extra-inning win to split the twinbill.
Reed ended the game 3-5 at the plate with a homer, two doubles and a pair of runs batted in, while Watson also had three hits, while doubling once and scoring twice. Nick Saldutti added two hits and worked a pair of walks, with Moore singling twice and Jake West driving home two.
The Trojan bullpen enabled the TU lineup to rally from an early 5-2 deficit, led by 3.2 scoreless innings of relief out of Jamie Bristol. Colin Eggleson (1-0) notched his first win with Taylor and Rob Fox pitched the 10th for his first collegiate save.
The TU bats could not get going in the opener, collecting just four hits and only one base knock after the second inning of the 3-0 loss.
Luke Hunter (0-1) took the loss, despite a solid outing on the bump in his second start of the year. The junior held the Buffaloes to two earned runs in five-plus innings of work.
Taylor (2-4) and Milligan (5-5) will square off again on Saturday, with a doubleheader set to begin at 1:00 pm.