Taylor Battles Past SAU in Extras for Season Sweep
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UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor let an early three-run lead slip away, before fighting to force extra innings and pulling out a 6-3 win at Spring Arbor in 10 innings to complete the season sweep against the Cougars.
Wyatt Whitman opened the game with a leadoff blast for a quick 1-0 lead and Nathan Targgart doubled and scored on a Sam Wiese single later in the frame for a 2-0 spread before the TU defense had taken the field.
Matt Patton posted zeroes in the first two innings and TU extended its lead to 3-0 in the top of the third, after Josh Lane opened the inning with a double and scored on a Tanner Watson sacrifice fly.
The Trojan bats went down in order over the next three innings and failed to capitalize on leadoff hits in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings, despite leadoff doubles from Jared Adkins and Tanner Watson in the seventh and ninth.
Spring Arbor (22-21, 12-9 CL) used a two-run rally in the third to draw within a single run and tied the score in the bottom of the eighth on two hits and a TU error to open the inning.
Mitch Ubelhor entered to pitch out of trouble in the eighth and used a game-saving diving catch by Targgart in the ninth to push the game into extra innings.
TU came alive with the extra opportunity, using a Christian McGill leadoff double to set the stage for the game-winning rally. This time the Purple and Gold took full advantage, with Josh Lane and Watson moving McGill around on a sacrifice bunt and a sacrifice fly. Wiese then provided the insurance with a two-run double into left center to open the 6-3 spread.
Taylor slammed the door on its 35th win in the bottom half, with Ubelhor recording all three outs via the strikeout to wrap up his overpowering performance.
Ubelhor (3-0) was credited with the win in relief, after striking out six hitters in the three-inning stint. The sophomore righty allowed two hits and did not give up a run, teaming with Patton and Kole Barkhaus to pile up 12 strikeouts.
The Trojan bats clubbed six doubles and one long ball in the win and were led by the pair of run-scoring knocks off the bat of Wiese, who ended 2-4 with three RBI. Whitman also posted a multi-hit showing with two hits, two runs and the solo homer, while Watson collected two RBI.
Taylor (35-11, 15-6 CL) will look to continue its push for the Crossroads League regular season crown when it plays two games at Huntington on Wednesday at 5:00 pm.
