Taylor Logs Another Sweep Over Cornerstone
WESTFIELD, Ind. – TU nabbed its sixth-straight win on Thursday, taking down Cornerstone in an afternoon doubleheader. Close games fell in Taylor’s favor, as the Trojans won the first game by a score of 6-5 and the second game by a 3-1 margin.
Taylor (8-1) struck first in game one, tallying six runs in the first three innings. Ben Kalbaugh knocked in the first two runs with a double in the second inning. TU took advantage of a few Cornerstone (0-4) errors to add two more runs before the frame ended.
The Eagles responded with a run of their own in the third to make it a 4-1 ballgame, before the Trojans came to the plate. A sacrifice fly from Nick Rusche and a score off of a wild pitch extended the TU advantage to five runs, as the game moved into the fourth inning.
Despite a gradual comeback effort from Cornerstone, Mitch Ubelhor was able to close it out in the final inning for his second save of the season. In game one, Clay Riggins (3-0) notched his third win in as many appearances this season.
The Taylor hurlers put together a strong showing on Thursday, combining for 19 strikeouts for the day, including 11 in game two.
Luke Shively started on the mound for the Trojans in game two. The sophomore pitcher was dominant, fanning four batters without allowing a hit. Throughout the contest, TU only allowed one hit and maintained a no-hitter as a team until the seventh inning.
Grabbing the win, Luke Carlson (1-0) followed Shively with just over two innings of stellar pitching, recording five strikeouts in the outing.
The TU lineup got off to another fast start in game two, as the team’s first three hitters reached base. Taylor plated a pair in the first inning to gain a lead that would remain for the entire contest.
In the eighth frame, Cornerstone loaded the bases with one out, threatening the 3-1 Taylor advantage. The bullpen came in clutch for the Trojans, as Cy Stanley closed the inning without giving up a run. The freshman hurler nabbed his first career save in the contest, logging five outs with two strikeouts.
Rusche had a great afternoon, going three-for-six at the plate for a .500 batting average, while adding two RBI and two runs.
Taylor will return to the diamond on Saturday, as the team takes on Brescia in a doubleheader at 1:00 pm.
