Trojans Sweep Crusaders with Game One Walk-Off, Game Two Dominance

UPLAND, Ind. – A walk-off single from Brennan Frickel in game one gave way to a lopsided 20-2 victory in game two of Friday's home doubleheader versus Madonna (2-6) for ninth-ranked Taylor (6-7). By day's end, the Trojans' lineup compiled an impressive total of 24 runs, 25 hits, 16 walks and five home runs while the pitching staff was also dominant with 20 strikeouts and only four earned runs allowed.

TU opened the first game with a leadoff walk and single that opened the door for a three-run big fly to left field for Brayden Manning that put Taylor ahead, 3-0. Madonna responded with its own two-run homer in the second inning to draw the score to 3-2.

Facing a new pitcher after the first frame, the Trojans made noise over the next three innings but left a total of seven runners on base in the second through fourth frames. The Crusaders tacked on a run in the fifth inning to tie the game at 3-3 before MU's Hayden Bailey closed his day with three perfect innings.

Thankfully for the home team, Gabel Pentecost was just as sharp on the hill. The sophomore worked ahead in the count seemingly all day long and shut the Crusader bats down to the tune of seven innings, 10 strikeouts, and just the three runs (two earned) allowed.

Alec Holcomb took the torch from Pentecost and pitched scoreless eighth and ninth frames, which sent the game to the bottom of the ninth still knotted at 3 apiece. That's when Sam Gladd laced a sharp single to right, Drew Loy (pinch-running for Gladd) stole second, and Frickel played hero on a walk-off single to left field that plated Loy.

MU grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the second game, but Taylor put up six runs in the bottom of the first inning that was capped off by Ben Kennedy's first home run of the season. The 6-1 advantage was expanded to 9-1 after two innings, thanks in part to a two-run two-bagger off the bat of Mason David.

The Crusaders got one run back in the third frame, but Taylor continued to score in every inning of the game, including putting up a seven-spot in the fourth frame to cruise to victory.

Luke Sutter tripled home a run and Luke Picchiotti launched a three-run shot to right field to highlight the scoring onslaught in the fourth inning. Cal Parr and Micah Long homered in the fifth and sixth innings, respectively, to join the party. Those home runs marked the first of both Parr's and Long's collegiate careers.

Picchiotti, Manning, David, Fletcher Roemmich, Kennedy and Parr all had multi-hit performances in game two alone, with David and Manning leading the way with four-hit days while combining to drive in nine runs. Camden Knepp drew a team-high five walks in eight plate appearances on the day.

Holcomb (2-1) got the win in game one, while Matt Dutkowski (1-2) picked up his first win of the season in game two, as the senior tossed four innings and allowed only one earned run. Relievers Nick Crabtree and Dalton Swinehart combined to pitch three innings of scoreless ball with five strikeouts to close out the sweep.

No. 9 TU concludes its non-league schedule versus IUPUC (3-8) on Tuesday, Feb. 27 at 5 p.m. at Winterholter Field.