Pentecost Shines in Game One, David Caps Sweep in Walk-Off Fashion

Broadcast Highlights | Field Level Highlights

UPLAND, Ind – The No. 21 Taylor baseball team (15-9, 8-2 CL) extended its winning streak to four games with a doubleheader sweep over Grace (7-13, 1-7) at Winterholter Field on Friday. Gabel Pentecost was dominant in game one in leading TU to a 9-4 victory, and Mason David lifted a walk-off single to shallow right field in a 4-3 win in the nightcap.

Pentecost was untouchable early Friday afternoon with two swinging strikeouts followed by a strikeout looking in the first inning. The sophomore went on to retire the next four Lancer hitters all on backwards 'K's – several of which came on dotted breaking balls – before ending the third frame with another swinging strikeout to make it eight punch outs through three innings for the Trojans' ace.

Working with an 8-0 lead after the third frame, Pentecost (2-1) continued to deal as the Freemont, Ind. native ended his day pitching seven innings while scattering six hits and two runs. His totals included a season-high 11 strikeouts against no walks as Pentecost got the well-earned win.

Offensively, Mason David singled, stole second and scored on a Brennan Frickel base hit in the second inning to plate the game's first run. Ben Kennedy – who went a perfect four-for-four at the plate in game one – doubled later in the frame to make it 2-0.

The Trojans then batted around in the third inning en route to putting another six runs on the scoreboard, two of which came on hit-by-pitches. Kennedy collected an RBI single, and Jacob Caruso walloped a bases-clearing double to left-center field to cap off the big inning. A groundout from Kaleb Kolpien drove in a run in the sixth inning to account for Taylor's ninth run of the game.

Defensively, Caruso also played a big part in the opener by throwing out a pair of runners attempting to steal second base. Jake Boyer got the final six outs of the game, which included a perfect ninth inning, without allowing any of his own baserunners to score to seal the 9-4 victory.

Southpaw Nick Crabtree made his first start of the season in game two, and the sophomore pitched effectively in 3.2 innings of one-run ball. Crabtree allowed just two hits and struck out six Lancers to get TU started on the right note.

Taylor loaded the bases in the second inning prior to taking advantage of an error and a two-run single from Camden Knepp to jump out to a 3-0 lead. The Trojan lineup then went quiet as GC's reliever had everything working throughout the middle and late innings.

With the score at 3-1, Jack Ross came on in relief of Crabtree and pitched through the sixth inning allowing just one hit and one run. Eventual winning pitcher Dalton Swinehart (2-3) retired the first two men he faced in the seventh frame before Grace put together a two-out rally and tied the game at 3-3.

That sent the nightcap into the bottom of the seventh and set up a walk-off scenario for the home team, which had its top of the order due up. Knepp walked, Kolpien laced a double to left field and Brayden Manning was intentionally walked to set up a bases-loaded, nobody-out situation. After a mound meeting for the Lancers, David flared a single to right field for the walk-off to cap off the doubleheader sweep.

Knepp and Kolpien paced TU's offense in game two with two and three hits, respectively. Fletcher Roemmich continued his torrent start to the season with a pinch-hit single in the game as well. The sophomore infielder's hit marked his 11th in just 21 at-bats.

The 21st-ranked Trojans look to extend their winning streak when they resume the series versus Grace on Saturday at 1 p.m. back at Winterholter Field.