Grace Overcomes Taylor in Saturday Tournament Action
UPLAND, Ind. – Despite an early lead from the Trojans (36-17, 15-12 CL), Grace (16-25, 10-17 CL) found a way to plate three runners in the final two innings to secure a 6-3 victory in the second round of the Crossroads League Tournament.
The first three innings of Saturday’s contest belonged to TU’s starting pitcher, Luke Carlson, who was perfect in his first time through the Lancer lineup. The freshman lefty completed five frames in the outing with six strikeouts and only one earned run.
The TU bats came to Carlson’s aid in the first and third innings, as the Purple and Gold built a two-run edge. Nick Rusche and Nathan Targgart paired up for two hits and a run scored to get the Trojans on the board, before Josh Lane contributed his fourth homer of the season.
Senior Lane offered multiple hits on Saturday, knocking in two of Taylor’s three total runs. Classmate Targgart also posted a multi-hit effort, as he inched closer to the program-record for career hits with the 271st of his career.
Grace found its stroke in the sixth frame, rallying for three runs to take the lead. TU answered in the bottom of the seventh, tying the game with a single to score the courtesy runner, Jonathan Foster.
The Lancers’ offense continued to roll in the final two innings, sealing the 6-3 win with two runs in the eighth and one in the ninth.
Following Saturday’s loss, TU will face Indiana Wesleyan (22-29, 15-12 CL) once again in the Crossroads League Tournament in an elimination game on Monday at 1:00 pm.
