TU Slugs Past Saint Francis to Advance in CL Tourney
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MARION, Ind. – The Taylor lineup was locked in from the start of Monday’s elimination contest against Saint Francis, piling up 15 runs in the first four innings and advancing with a 20-9 victory over the Cougars.
The Trojans pounded out eight extra-base hits among 18 total knocks and drew eight walks in the affair. TJ Bass and Brett Lawson highlighted the attack with long balls, while Bass, Kade Vander Molen, Camden Knepp, Josh Godfrey, Joe Moran and Ben Kalbaugh all doubled.
In all, nine different TU batters had at least one hit, nine drove in at least one run and nine scored at least once in the offensive outburst.
Bass led the way with three hits, one homer, one double and four RBI, while Vander Molen also had three hits, scored four times and knocked in two. Moran was busy as well with three hits, two runs, four RBI and two steals. Nick Rusche scored three times, Ben Kalbaugh was TU’s fourth player with a three-hit game and Conner Crawford drove in three.
Luke Shively pitched into the sixth to collect his sixth win of the season, while Tucker Waddups allowed zero runs on two hits over the final three frames to register his fourth save of the year.
Taylor (37-19) had its evening game with Mount Vernon Nazarene (30-18) postponed due to rain. The two squads will now face off at noon on Tuesday, with the winner advancing to take on Huntington (33-15) in a 3:00 pm start at Indiana Wesleyan.