Hot Bats Lead Trojans to Crossroads League Sweep
UPLAND, Ind. – The Trojans used their hot bats to outscore Grace 14-2 over a two-game sweep in Crossroads League action. Jersey Tannehill led the offense throughout the day, collecting four hits, two runs, and two runs-batted-in.
Taylor jumped out to an early lead in game one. Emma West and Alexi Clay started the inning with singles, after which West scored on a sacrifice fly to right field by Caitlyn Grim.
Taylor, then, capitalized on a defensive miscue in the second to extend the lead. Prior to the error, Kristin Mihalic got the action rolling with a walk, and Nicole Brindle ran for her. Jersey Tannehill singled with one out, advancing Brindle to third. Lexi Abruzzo entered the box and kept the inning moving by driving in Brindle on a single to center field. With two outs and two runners on, an error by the shortstop led to two additional runs for the Trojans, crafting a 4-0 lead.
The early run support was more than enough for Maddi Evans (4-3), who was stellar again in the circle. Evans started the game by retiring the first nine hitters in order, entering the fourth with a perfect game. The Lancers threatened in the fourth, before Evans shut the door with a strikeout to end the inning. Evans completed the day with five shutout innings, allowing only three hits and no walks to earn the victory.
Cassy Lewis pitched the final two frames in game one, protecting the lead in her second outing of the season.
Grace threatened again in the seventh, this time plating two runs but falling short and losing game one 5-2.
Taylor used an early surge in the first inning to ease its way toward a game-two victory.
After West and Clay set the table with free passes, Taylor went on to collect five-consecutive hits, posting six runs in the first. The three-through-seven batters each roped a hit, culminating in a double by Tannehill collecting two RBI.
MacKenzie Noah (2-5) started in the circle and relentlessly protected Taylor’s 6-0 lead. Noah pitched four scoreless innings, working her way out of a bases-loaded jam in both the second and fourth innings.
Taylor’s comfortable lead allowed more players to get involved, including Camryn Arlotto who secured her first-career extra-base-hit in the fourth with a double, after which she scored her first-career run.
Lindsey Nolt got to shine in the circle as well, hurling a scoreless inning in her second appearance of the season.
The game came to an early end with Taylor recording a run-rule victory, while leading 9-0 after five innings.
Taylor will take the field again on Saturday, weather permitting. The Trojans (6-9, 3-1 CL) are scheduled to take on Saint Francis (8-4, 0-0 CL) at Gundakunst field with the first pitch coming at 1:00 pm ET.
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