Offense Propels Trojans to CL Sweep Over MVNU

KOKOMO, Ind. – Taylor's offense took full advantage of a blustering day at Championship Park, scoring 23 runs and sweeping Mount Vernon Nazarene (8-6, 1-3 CL) in a doubleheader on Friday.

Contributions at the plate came across the board and were headlined by senior Kaylee Larkin, who blasted a pair of home runs and collected six RBI. Lizzy Sinders continued her penchant for crossing the plate, scoring five runs for a Crossroads League-leading 19 in 16 games.

Taylor's offense broke out in the opener, producing 14 runs in four innings at the plate to secure a 14-3 run-rule victory. Five Trojans had an extra-base hit, and six produced an RBI in the blowout win.

TU opened the scoring in the first, plating a trio of runs with two outs. Larkin, Grace Mullins, and Ava Everman each delivered a two-out RBI for the early advantage.

The Cougars got one back in the top of the third, but the Trojans answered with six in the bottom half to balloon the lead to 9-1. Madisyn Standridge delivered the key hit in the inning, a bases-clearing double with one out and the bases loaded.

TU continued the offensive momentum in the next frame, plating five more in the fourth. Another bases-clearing double, this one rocketed off the bat of Bella Browning highlighted the inning as the Trojans cruised to a run-rule victory.

Sinders (4-3) picked up the win inside the circle, tossing five innings of three run ball. Only two runs were earned and the freshman fanned five in another solid outing as she has established herself as the Trojans number on option.

A tighter scoreline in the nightcap, a 9-6 victory, was the result of one key hit from the Cougars. The Trojans scored in the first five innings to take a commanding lead and despite a Grand Slam off the bat of Kiera Mayer for MVNU, the Purple and Gray never trailed.

Larkin belted a two-out two-run home run to open the scoring and repeated the feat two innings later to push the lead to 5-0 after three innings.

Kaylyn Applegate was cruising through three innings, extending her scoreless streak to eight innings after a five-inning shutout on Tuesday. The freshman hurler faced trouble in the fourth, allowing the first three runners to reach before a grand slam cut the lead to 5-4 and forced sophomore Claire Cullen to enter the game.

Mullins delivered a clutch two-RBI single in the bottom of the inning to push the lead back to a four-run advantage. Sinders had a sacrifice fly in the following inning before the Cougars scored in the sixth and seventh to get within three.

Cullen (3-2) had one of her best outings out of the bullpen, firing four innings inside the circle and picking up her third win of the season. The sophomore allowed two hits, two runs, and struck out one in harsh conditions.

Taylor (9-7, 4-0 CL) continues Crossroads League action against Bethel (4-10, 0-2 CL) on Saturday, March 14th on the road, with first pitch scheduled for 1:00 pm.