RV TU Wraps Up Coach Calderone Invitational, Defeats ACU
WADDELL, Ariz. – The TU baseball squad completed the Coach Calderone Invitational with an 8-7 win over Arizona Christian (2-2) on Saturday. RV Taylor (5-2) triumphed over the Firestorm for the second time this week, holding off a late comeback effort from the host team.
Conner Crawford gave the Trojans an early lead with an RBI double in the second inning. Brett Lawson followed up with another double, as TU picked up three runs in the frame. The TU lineup entered the day, ranking third in the NAIA with 11 doubles on the season, before adding five more in Saturday’s win.
Taylor picked up its largest lead of the game in the fifth inning, posting a pair of runs on three hits. Jacob Morris and Joe Moran paired up to place runners on first and third with one out. Ben Kalbaugh singled to bring home the first score, before a wild pitch allowed TU’s second run for a 6-1 advantage.
ACU responded to the TU rally, nabbing five runs between the sixth and seventh innings. The scoring outburst from the Firestorm cut their deficit to just one run at 7-6.
TJ Bass logged the crucial hit of the afternoon, hitting a double to right center field to score Kade Vander Molen in the eighth. The RBI double gave the Trojans a two-run lead which would turn out to be necessary to survive the ninth inning for an 8-7 finish.
Cy Stanley held off the ACU comeback effort for his first save of the season. The sophomore lefty posted the final three outs, holding the Firestorm hitless in the frame. Sam Shively was designated with the win for TU, tossing 2.2 innings with three strikeouts.
On the day, Crawford put together an impressive performance, going two-for-four at the plate with two doubles and two RBI. The righty outfielder offered his second multi-hit effort of the season, while reaching base three times on Saturday.
Lawson thrived in the Coach Calderone Invitational, drawing three starts with four hits in the stretch. The senior grabbed three doubles and three runs, while slugging .778 through nine at-bats.
Taylor will return to action in a three-game road series with Bethel (Tenn.), beginning with a single game on Friday at 3:00 pm.
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