TU Fights Back in Series Finale to Earn Split with Spring Arbor
Game 1
Game 1
Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Taylor | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 18 | 2 |
Spring Arbor | 2 | 1 | 8 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 15 | 16 | 3 |
Game 2
Game 2
Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Taylor | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 2 | 10 | 8 | 1 |
Spring Arbor | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 8 | 2 |
SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – A competitive four-game series with Spring Arbor (17-18-1, 11-13 CL) came to an end on Monday evening, as the Trojans came back in the series-finale to win 10-9 and earn their second series-split of the Crossroads League season.
After falling in Monday's first game 15-7, a strange game in which Taylor pounded 18 hits yet found itself down 12-1 at one point, the Trojans soon encountered another unfortunate scenario in game two. By the end of the third inning, Spring Arbor had nurtured a 5-0 lead, seemingly en route to a day-two sweep and a series-victory over No. 25 Taylor three-games-to-one.
The Trojan offense had more to say, however, as Conner Crawford and company energized a Taylor comeback to dismantle the threat of their first series-loss of the conference-season.
Crawford collected four RBI in his last three at-bats of the day, which resulted in a single, double, and a sacrifice-fly. Inclusive of game one of the day, Crawford drove in a total of six runs on Monday, increasing his season-total to 56 which is a mark that remains good enough for second place in the league.
Senior shortstop, Nick Rusche, contributed another RBI toward the Taylor comeback in game two, joining Crawford as the lone Trojans to record multiple hits.
Meanwhile, the Trojan bats exercised great patience at the place en route to their game-two victory, drawing nine walks in the day's final three innings. Freshman, Mason David, led the way with three walks of his own, which facilitated a pair of runs scored by the Trojan second baseman.
Taylor relief pitcher, Jack Ross (3-0), earned his second win of the series, as the sophomore righty threw two-and-a-third scoreless, even hitless innings while recording three strikeouts along the way.
Freshman, Kaleb Kolpien, took over where Ross left off, completing the final two innings of the game and picking up his fifth save of the season even while navigating his way through trouble. When all was said and done, though, the scoreboard read 10-9 in favor of the Trojans, thanks in large part to a phenomenal defensive play by Kade Vander Molen at first base to record the game's final out.
No. 25 Taylor (28-12, 18-6 CL) will return to Upland for a few days of practice, before heading back on the road for a significant four-game series with first-place Mount Vernon Nazarene (24-11, 17-5 CL) set to begin on Friday, April 15th, at 1:00 pm.