Clutch Hitting and Stellar Relief Performance by Kottlowski Fuel Taylor into the Crossroads League Tournament
SPRING ARBOR, Mich. – Katie Kottlowski came in relief early in the contest to spin a terrific game inside the circle, and clutch hitting in the bottom of the sixth ensured Taylor advanced past the play-in game and into the double elimination section of the Crossroads League Tournament with a 4-3 victory over Saint Francis.
The sophomore hurler came in with the Trojans trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the first and the Cougars threatening with the bases loaded. Kottlowski recorded the final out and sat down 13 of the next 16 batters she faced to keep Taylor within reach.
Taylor’s offense had collected a single hit before the fifth inning but scratched out a run in the bottom of the frame after Madisyn Standridge doubled and scored on an error to level the score at one.
Saint Francis (21-29) immediately responded in the top of the sixth, with the first two runners reaching. After a pair of fielder’s choices, a clutch two-out two-RBI double gave the Cougars the lead back at 3-1.
The Trojans responded with two singles sandwiching a walk to start the bottom half of the frame from the top of its order. Standridge came to the plate and delivered a clutch two-RBI single up the middle to knot the contest at three apiece. Jersey Tannehill notched her second hit with a single to reload the bases, and Delaynee McCreary brought in the decisive run on a fielder’s choice to give TU the edge.
Kottlowski surrendered a pair of singles in the top of the seventh but was able to finish it off and earn her fourth victory of the season. The lefty hurler has thrown her best stuff late this year and delivered a clutch relief performance of 6.1 innings pitched and two runs allowed.
Taylor (26-25) is set to take on the hosts and third-seeded Spring Arbor (31-18) on Wednesday, May 1, in the second game of the day, slotted to begin at noon.