TU Baseball Opens 2020 Slate with Two Wins in Arizona
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CHANDLER, Ariz. – The Taylor baseball squad began its season on Thursday in Arizona, taking down College of Idaho in both games of a doubleheader. The Trojans grabbed a 7-3 victory in game one, before winning by a final score of 6-4 in the second contest.
Luke Shively toed the rubber to start the 2020 campaign and gave the Purple and Gold (2-0) three innings of work to pick up the win. The junior struck out four Yotes and allowed just one run through the outing.
In the second frame, TU got the bats going, as Matt Dutkowski sparked the rally with a double in his first career at bat. Ben Kalbaugh, Christian McGill and Brett Lawson each added singles to give Taylor a 2-1 lead.
Dutkowski led off the fourth inning with a single to start another strong offensive inning that resulted in three runs for the Trojans. The freshman was terrific in his collegiate debut, going three-for-three in game one with two runs scored. The first baseman followed up the impressive performance with a clutch triple, three RBI and a walk in game two.
Justin Pettit dealt two innings of relief with three strike outs. Ending the game on the hill, Kole Barkhaus retired all six batters that he faced, forcing three whiffs.
In the second contest of the day, TU secured another two-run second inning to nab an early lead. Two walks and a hit by pitch loaded the bases for a Nick Rusche double to plate a pair.
Noah Huseman kept the College of Idaho bats quiet through the first four innings. The junior did not allow a run or a hit, while compiling four strikeouts.
The Yotes (0-2) utilized nifty base running and well-timed hits in the fifth and sixth innings to gain a 3-2 advantage, heading into the bottom of the sixth.
The Taylor offense responded with three singles through four batters, tying the game at three runs apiece. After an intentional walk, Dutkowski came to the plate with the bases loaded and launched a shot to deep left-center field for a game-winning three-run triple.
Tucker Waddups logged the final five outs for TU, notching his first win of the season.
TJ Bass and McGill provided bright spots in the lineup on Thursday. Bass recorded three hits and two runs, while McGill smacked two hits, two runs and a walk in five at bats.
Taylor will return to action on Friday, taking on College of Idaho in another doubleheader at 3:00 pm EST.