Seven-Run Second and Cullen’s Shutout Power Split with Spring Arbor

KOKOMO, Ind. – Taylor earned a split on Thursday night with Spring Arbor (20-12, 11-7 CL) behind a seven-run second inning and a complete-game shutout from Claire Cullen at Championship Park in Kokomo, Indiana.

Cullen (6-3) was phenomenal inside the circle en route to a shutout victory as she shut down the Cougar bat all night. The sophomore allowed just one base knock and struck out a career-high nine batters. Despite just one hit allowed, Cullen did have to navigate out of trouble due to five walks and two hit batters.

The Trojan bats broke out in the second inning, scoring all seven runs as the first six batters reached base. Grace Mullins delivered the first key hit, with the junior's first collegiate home run to put TU up 2-0. After two more batters reached, Delaynee McCreary delivered an RBI single to left. Madisyn Standridge loaded the bases with a bunt single and after the Cougars recorded an out, Jayci Kitchen cleared the bases with a double to left center. Mullins delivered another RBI hit in the inning with a single to drive in Kitchen.

Spring Arbor had threatened to score before the onslaught by Taylor, leaving five runners on base in the first two innings, including loading the bases with one out in the second. Cullen got a grounded which saw Bella Browning fire home to get the force at the plate before the righty struck out the final batter to end the threat.

Cullen settled in before the Cougars had the first two batters reach in the seventh reach. After a strikeout, Standridge received a grounder and threw home to nab another runner at the plate and preserve the shutout for Cullen.

The Trojans dropped a heartbreaker in the opener, leading 4-1 entering the final frame before the Cougars mounted a comeback, capped by a three-run home run to take the lead 5-4.

Lizzy Sinders led off the bottom of the seventh with a single and got to third but was unable to traverse the final 60 feet as Taylor fell by the smallest of margins.

Taylor fell behind in the third after a solo home run by Spring Arbor but responded with three runs in the fourth to take the lead. Kaylee Larkin reached on an error and Mullins slapped a single to left to get two runners on. A sacrifice fly by Ava Everman plated the first run before Delaney Barton lined a double to center to score Mullins. Barton later scored to push the advantage to 3-1.

The Trojans added an insurance run in the sixth after Larkin led the inning off with a walk and Malina Lape scored as a pinch runner after a defensive miscue by the Cougar infield.

Sinders (7-5) was great inside the circle until the final frame. The freshman had allowed just one run on five hits before hitting a batter, and an error derailed her start in the seventh. Cullen came in and finished off the Cougars, getting the final two outs, including a strikeout, as the sophomore was fantastic all day inside the circle.

Mullins ended the day with a terrific line of three hits in four at-bats with a pair of walks at the plate. The junior drove in three runs and scored twice, while slugging a home run as she sits third in the Crossroads League in qualified hitters with an on-base percentage of .535.

Taylor (16-13, 11-6 CL) continues its busy week with a doubleheader on the road against Goshen (11-19, 5-11 CL) on Friday, April 3rd, with first pitch slotted for noon, before ending the week with a road trip to Mount Vernon Nazarene (16-14, 9-11 CL) on Saturday.