Carter Walk-Off Single Lifts TU Softball to Sweep of Bethel
Game 1
Game 1
Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bethel (IN) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 7 | 0 |
Taylor | 1 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bethel (IN) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 5 | 0 |
Taylor | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 11 | 2 |
UPLAND, Ind. – Freshman Davis Carter had a big day at the plate for Taylor softball on Friday and capped it off with a walk-off single in the seventh inning of game two to complete the rally in a 5-4 win over Bethel. The Trojans also earned a 7-3 victory in the day's opener.
Taylor trailed the Pilots 4-3 headed into the bottom of the seventh inning, but the Trojans were not to be denied in their last opportunity from the plate to find the equalizer and eventual game-winning run.
Alex Lovelace got things started with her third hit of the contest, a well-placed bunt to the infield that left Bethel no chance to throw her out at first base. Anna Gunderson proceeded to single through the hole at shortstop giving Taylor two baserunners with no outs yet recorded. Ashley Miller stepped to the plate with one out and added a single of her own to left field, bringing Lovelace around to score. Gunderson and Miller were able to advance to third and second base, respectively, on Bethel's throw to the plate to set up Carter's winning base knock.
Carter laced one through the middle to give Taylor its fourth consecutive victory. It was Carter's second hit of the game and sixth of the doubleheader after a 4-4 performance in the opener.
Taylor totaled 11 hits in the contest. Morgan Allison had a three-run home run in the second inning, her fifth long ball on the season. Lovelace was 3-4 and scored the game-tying run, while Gunderson went 2-4 before accounting for the winning run. Ashley Miller was 2-3 with an RBI, and Jessica Britt went 1-3 with a run scored. Hannah Robbins earned a walk in the game and came around to score on the long ball from Allison.
Maddie Cornell was the winning pitcher for Taylor, pitching the final two innings in relief of starter Hannah Robbins. Cornell did not allow a Bethel hit and struck out two to improve to a record of 4-2 from the circle. Rachel Najdek took the loss for Bethel.
Game one saw Taylor establish a 5-2 advantage through five innings. Lauren Ehle scored on a bases loaded walk by Allison in the first. Bethel responded in the top half of the third frame on a two-RBI double from Natalie Newell, but Taylor plated two runs in the bottom half as Gunderson led off with a single and rounded the bases as Ehle blasted her third home run of the season off the scoreboard in right-center field.
Taylor added one run in both the fourth and fifth inning. Bethel's Katie Claxon hit a solo home run in the sixth, but Taylor added two insurance runs on a two-RBI single from Carter.
Taylor starter Hannah Klebesadel shut the door in the seventh inning for the complete game win to remain unbeaten on the year with a 4-0 record from the circle. The senior allowed just three earned runs on seven hits and three walks while notching five strikeouts. Crystal Markiewicz was charged with the loss for Bethel.
Taylor (15-9, 9-3 CL) will be right back on Gudakunst Field Saturday, as it aims to gain ground in the Crossroads League standings against Marian (18-4, 10-0 CL). Game one is set to begin at 12:00 pm.