Trojans Fall to Grenadiers, Play Again Wednesday
UPLAND, Ind. – 17th-ranked Taylor (42-15) fell 3-2 in a cleanly played, 2024 NAIA Baseball Championship Opening Round contest on Wednesday afternoon as the road team versus RV Indiana Southeast.
IU Southeast (35-18) plated a run in both the first and third innings, though the lead could have been bigger if not for a perfect, one-hop strike to home from right fielder Camden Knepp that prevented a run and got the Trojans out of the second frame.
The Grenadiers’ starter looked unhittable for a while to start the game, and when TU was able to put baserunners aboard in the fourth-through-sixth frames, IU Southeast left a runner at third stranded and turn two double plays defensively.
Trailing 2-0 in the top of the seventh, Brayden Manning drew a leadoff walk and advanced to third on a pair of productive outs. Ben Kennedy came through with a two-out single to left field that got the Trojans on the board.
Momentum favored the Trojans again in the eighth inning, as Luke Sutter and Mason David both snuck singles through to the outfield. Sam Gladd later followed with a run-scoring single to tie things at 2-2, and Brayden Manning appeared to give TU the lead with a single to left field. The Grenadiers returned the favor of gunning down a runner at the plate with an outfield assist, however, as the game remained tied.
IU Southeast led off the bottom of the eighth with a home run as it continued its perfect run in the Opening Round.
On the mound in Wednesday’s first game, Nick Crabtree worked through the initial three-plus innings as the left-hander kept the game within reach. Jake Boyer was then outstanding working into the eighth inning and allowing only two hits, while Matt Dutkowski retired all three batters he faced to finish off the pitching job for TU.
No. 17 Taylor plays again Wednesday evening at 7 p.m. at Winterholter Field versus the winner of the day’s second game between No. 7 Missouri Baptist (39-11-1) and Indiana Tech (33-23).