Balanced Attack Fuels Sweep of Indiana Southeast
NEW ALBANY, Ind. – Taylor (5-1) swept the hosting Grenadiers on Saturday afternoon, with a balanced offensive attack supplemented by solid work inside the circle to cap a terrific opening week.
Seven Trojans reached base three or more times, and Livie Lehmann led the way with four RBI to move her to a season total of 11, which paces the Crossroads League. Furthermore, 12 runners crossed the plate, and seven players had an extra-base hit in the doubleheader.
The Trojans began the day with a monumental comeback, capped by a six-run eighth inning to secure a 13-7 victory over Indiana Southeast (1-3), who split a doubleheader with No. 12 Indiana Wesleyan earlier this season.
The squads traded runs early and were tied at two apiece after three innings before Indiana Southeast exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fourth to take a commanding lead.
Grace Mullins scored on a double steal with Madisyn Standridge in the fifth, but the Grenadiers responded with a run of their own to push the lead to 7-3.
A gigantic sixth inning knotted the score at seven apiece. Brooke Sanchez laced a double with a runner on first to set the table for Meg Stanley, who delivered a single to drive in both runs and force a pitching change. The change didn't slow the Trojans, however, with Jayci Kitchen laying down a beautiful bunt single. Two batters later, Standridge laced a triple and tied the game at seven but was thrown out at the plate to deny TU a late lead.
Taylor exploded in extra innings, scoring six in the eighth as the middle of the order finally delivered key hits with runners in scoring position. Lehamnn and Kaylee Larkin both ripped two-out RBI doubles for added insurance in the extra frame.
Claire Cullen (2-0) was terrific in relief, allowing just one unearned run in four innings inside the circle. The freshman fanned four batters and surrendered a pair of singles without giving up a free base in a stellar performance.
The second game of the twin billing went the Trojans' way early as Sanchez delivered a pair of RBI and Lehmann singled in Emri Agre for a 3-0 advantage.
Indiana Southeast closed the gap to a run in the bottom of the fourth before Taylor responded with a four-run fifth to take complete control of the contest. A trio of doubles from Standridge, Lehmann, and Emily Guthrie did the damage and pushed the lead to 7-2.
Mullins had a pinch-hit RBI single in the seventh to extend the lead as she went 2-3 with a pair of walks throughout the doubleheader.
Mackenzie Noah (2-0) earned the victory with five solid innings, with Cullen working out of the pen again and pitching two more innings with a single run allowed.
Taylor (5-1) has its home opener on Tuesday, March 4, with a pair of games against Defiance (2-4) beginning at 4:00 pm.