Whitman’s Double Helps Taylor Take Down Manchester
UPLAND, Ind. – The 22nd-ranked Trojans grabbed a win over the NCAA Division III Manchester Spartans on Tuesday. Taylor triumphed by a 4-3 final score, with three runs coming by way of a Wyatt Whitman double in the third inning.
A pair of walks and a single loaded the bases for the centerfielder Whitman in the third frame. The senior smacked the first pitch he saw to the left-center gap for a three-RBI double, giving Taylor (18-6) a 3-1 lead over Manchester (1-8) early in the contest.
The Taylor bats kept it going in the fourth inning, with Caleb Fox reaching base by a walk. A stolen base from the courtesy runner Kyle Kelsheimer put a runner in scoring position for a double from Josh Lane to bring in the game-deciding run.
Pitching and defense remained strong for the Purple and Gold, as multiple fielders pulled off spectacular plays to retire Spartan hitters. On the mound, freshman Luke Carlson got the start and allowed one run with one strikeout through three innings.
In relief, Carter Stump nabbed his first career win, dealing 1.2 scoreless innings with two strikeouts. Tucker Waddups closed the game just over three innings of work to pick up his first career save.
No. 22 Taylor will return to action at Winterholter Field with a weekend series against Grace (7-3, 3-0 CL) beginning on Friday at 5:00 pm followed by a Saturday doubleheader at 1:00 pm.
