RV Taylor Rides Dominant Offensive Showing to Sweep of Bethel
Game 1
Game 1
Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | R | H | E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bethel (IN) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
Taylor | 11 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 16 | 18 | 0 |
Game 2
Game 2
Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bethel (IN) | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 8 | 0 |
Taylor | 6 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 9 | 15 | 1 |
Aleyah Rastetter's Day vs. Bethel
UPLAND, Ind. – Behind a pair of stellar offensive performances, RV Taylor (22-10, 10-6 CL) bounced back in a big way on Saturday afternoon, recording a pair of impressive victories over Bethel (10-25, 3-13 CL) at Gudakunst Field. The Trojans scored 11 runs in the first inning of the opener en route to a 16-0, five-inning triumph, before scoring six runs in the opening frame of the nightcap in an eventual 9-4 victory.
The Trojans' bats hummed all afternoon as the home team hit a remarkable 33-of-61 (.541) in the two-game set. Twelve Trojans recorded at least one hit, while five finished with three and three finished with four. Furthermore, the Trojans combined for seven doubles and six home runs.
The doubleheader sweep served as a coming out party for freshman Aleyah Rastetter. Coming into the series with just three extra-base knocks, the Frankton, Indiana native was a force against the Pilots, hitting her first three collegiate home runs in five at-bats, which included a grand slam and a pair of two-run bombs. Additionally, Rastetter drove in a team-leading eight runs.
Kristin Mihalic also hit a pair of home runs in a three-hit effort, while Lauren Kanai recorded her team-leading seventh round tripper in a three-hit performance. Maddi Evans and Taylor Wilson both finished four-for-five with four runs scored, while Evans also collected three doubles. Caitlyn Grim recorded three hits, a triple, and five RBI, Emma West finished with four knocks and three runs scored, and Kara Tucker went 3-for-6 with four runs scored and two RBI in the doubleheader.
The Trojans sent 14 batters to the plate in the first inning, who combined for 10 hits. Rastetter started the scoring with her first two-run shot, and Mihalic followed with a two-run blast of her own to give the Trojans an early 4-0 cushion. Grim hit a two-run single to right field, scoring Evans and Wilson, before Rastetter put an exclamation point on the inning with her grand slam, putting the Trojans up 10-0. Kanai capped off the frame with a solo shot to left-center field.
Taylor added five more runs in the second inning, courtesy of a Wilson RBI double, RBI singles from Grim and West, and a two-run two-bagger from Kanai.
With plenty of offensive support behind her, Evans (10-2) put together another tremendous performance, allowing just four hits while striking 11 in a complete-game effort. After her outing against the Pilots, the Fairmount, Indiana native needs just 21 more strikeouts to become the Trojans' single-season leader.
The lethal offense continued in game two. West started the contest with a single and a pair of stolen bases, and Tucker took advantage, plating the Trojans' shortstop for the 1-0 advantage. With her 19 swipes on the season, West moves into a tie for fourth place for the most stolen bases for a Trojan in a single campaign.
Rastetter and Mihalic followed with two more home runs, increasing Taylor's advantage to 4-0, before Grim capped off the inning with a two-run triple. The Trojans added three more runs in the third, courtesy of an Evans RBI single and a West two-run double, to secure the doubleheader sweep.
Cassy Lewis (4-3) earned the win in relief, striking out four and giving up just five hits in four innings of work.
The Trojans will hit the road Tuesday, traveling to Spring Arbor for a two-game set with the Cougars (10-17, 6-7 CL). First pitch is scheduled for 3:00 pm.