Trojans Shut Out Cougars in Game Two for Split
FORT WAYNE, Ind. – Taylor met the St. Francis Cougars (23-23, 14-17 CL) for the final time in the regular season on Wednesday. The Cougars won the first game, 3-2, and Taylor was able to win the night cap, 4-0.
The Trojans matched their win count from 2018, with 32 wins. The win total is fourth overall in most wins for Taylor softball in a single season.
After falling to the hosts in the first game, Taylor stepped up in game two for the win.
The first five innings was a defensive battle between the two teams. Neither team gave up a run until in the bottom of the sixth when Taylor posted three runs.
Maddi Evans (2-1) pitched a full game in game two, only giving up four hits. Evans struck out four batters in her second win of the season in her longest career outing.
Taylor scored three runs in the top of the sixth inning and one run in the top of the seventh.
Evans scored the eventual game-winning run after Taylor Wilson found her way on base after a Cougar error. TU’s offense would keep rolling and both Wilson and Erin Cozad scored when Lauren Kanai hit a double to deep right-center.
The final run of the ball game came in the top of the seventh when Olivia Hostetler ran to home plate thanks to Kristin Mihalic’s double.
An early lead for the Trojans in game one was not enough to pick up the win.
Kanai hit yard in the top of the second inning, giving the Trojans their only lead of the ball game. Taylor’s lead would not last long as the home team scored their first run in the bottom of the first.
St. Francis posted the game-winning run in the bottom of the fifth inning.
In an effort to gain ground against the hosts, Courtney Moriarty singled up the middle in the sixth inning. Taylor Wilson then hit a triple to deep right field, scoring Moriarty. Wilson would be called out stretching.
RV Taylor (32-12, 24-8 CL) will host No. 2 Marian (44-0, 32-0 CL) on Friday and Mount Vernon Nazarene (20-18, 15-13 CL) on Saturday. TU will honor its seniors prior to Saturday’s contest.