![Softball Prevails 7-6 in Game Two for Split with Grace](/images/2014-15/Softball/Lovelace_Baserunning1.jpg)
Softball Prevails 7-6 in Game Two for Split with Grace
WINONA LAKE, Ind. – Taylor softball regrouped in the second game of the doubleheader with Grace to earn a 7-6 win, taking the season series with the Lancers three games to one. Grace hit a walk-off single in the opener to come away with a 3-2 result on its home field.
All five runs of game one came in the final inning, as both Hannah Klebesadel and Grace's Chandler Elliott posted zero's on the scoreboard through six innings of work. Taylor scored twice in the top half of the seventh to seize a 2-0 lead. The inning began with a double from Erin Tice followed by an Alex Lovelace single. Later with two outs recorded, Ashley Miller came through in the clutch with a single to right-center field to score both Tice and Lovelace.
The late lead would not hold up however, as Grace manufactured three runs to complete the comeback. Alex Shipley provided the heroics for Grace in the bottom half of the frame, as the Lancers escaped with the 3-2 result on Shipley's walk-off single.
After the pitcher's duel in game one, both offenses were able to get going in game two. Grace struck first with a run in the opening inning. Taylor responded with two runs in the top half of the third, as Lauren Ehle hit an RBI double to bring in Jessica Britt. Lovelace was also able to score on the play to make it 2-1 Taylor after a Lancer error.
The Taylor lead would not last long however as Grace was able to plate two scores of its own to claim a 3-2 lead through three innings of play. After a scoreless fourth frame, the Trojans produced two runs in the fifth to build a 4-3 lead after a Davis Carter single down the left field line scored both Lovelace and Ehle.
Taylor Murray added an RBI single in the sixth to score Hannah Robbins, making the score 5-3. Grace found the equalizing run in the bottom half, and just as in game one the two teams entered the seventh all knotted up.
Ehle got her second hit of the contest to start things off and proceeded to steal second base. With the go-ahead run in scoring position, Carter came through once again with a double to deep right-center field for the RBI. After Robbins flied out to deep center field, Morgan Allison drove in Carter with a double of her own to give Taylor the 7-5 edge.
Allison's RBI proved to be much needed, as Grace was able to cut its deficit to 7-6 in the seventh after an RBI double from Hannah Herbster. Robbins, who came in to relieve starter Ashley Miller after five innings of play, was able to get Grace's Morgan Hutcheson to line out to the center fielder Lovelace for the third and final out of the contest however to preserve the Taylor victory.
Robbins earned the win in the circle to improve to 5-4 on the season, pitching the final two innings for Taylor. Miller threw the first five innings and allowed three earned runs on just five Grace hits while striking out three. Allison Franklin was charged with the loss for Grace, entering to pitch the sixth and seventh in relief of the starter Shipley.
Taylor (19-11, 13-5 CL) will have Wednesday off before traveling to Spring Arbor on Thursday. Game one against the Cougars will begin at 3:00 pm.