Offensive Explosion Propels Trojans to a Pair of Run-Rule Victories Over Grace
UPLAND, Ind. – The trojan offense exploded on Thursday, plating 22 runs in a pair of run-rule victories over Grace, in which the nightcap saw Tayor score eight runs in the fifth and walk it off on a home run to left by Livie Lehmann.
Lehmann's blast was her twelfth of the season and gave her 58 RBI this season. Kaylee Larkin was phenomenal at the plate sending a pair of balls over the fence along with a double and three walks. The junior drove in four runs and scored four in a perfect day at the dish. Claire Duncan was also perfect at the plate going five for five with a pair of doubles, two RBI, and three runs scored.
Taylor (28-16, 17-13 CL) made easy work of the Lancers in the opener, dispatching them with a 12-4 score in five innings.
The Trojans loaded the bases with one out in the first and Delaney Barton singled home a run before a terrific nine-pitch walk by Delaynee McCreary plated another and forced a pitching change. Duncan did not let that her faze her and sent the first pitch down the left-field line for a two-RBI double.
Grace (7-26-1, 3-24-1 CL) scored a run in the second before a two-out rallying produced a pair of runs for the Trojans.
After another scoreless frame by Claire Cullen (11-5), who earned the victory inside the circle with four innings pitched and two runs allowed, the Trojan offense exploded for six runs, highlighted by a deep home run to right-center off the bat of Larkin.
The nightcap was a tight game as Mackenzie Noah (11-6) pitched five innings of one-run ball for her eleventh win of the season. The senior hurler struck out three and navigated around five hits and three walks to allow just one Lancer to cross the plate.
Grace scored a run in the second before Noah had a key strikeout with the bases loaded and one out preceded a popout to end the inning with minimal damage done.
Taylor responded with a pair of runs scored as a Duncan double and a bunt single by Bella Browning began the frame. Duncan scored on a groundout by Hannah Pack before a two-out single by Grace Mullins drove in Browning.
The lead held at one until the bottom of the fifth and a one-out no doubt bomb from Larkin chased the starting pitcher from the game. A two-out rally began as Duncan and Browning reached and scored on a single by Pack. A bases loaded single by Madisyn Standridge drove in a pair before Lehmann stepped to the plate and drove a long ball out to left-center to end the game.
Taylor ends its home schedule with a matchup against Saint Francis (22-14, 15-11 CL) on Saturday, April 19, at Gudakunst Field, when the Trojans will celebrate Senior day 15 minutes prior to opening pitch at 1:00 pm.