Gongwer Tosses No-Hitter as Taylor Sweeps IUSB
WESTFIELD, Ind. – Drake Gongwer was extremely effective on Saturday, dealing seven hitless innings. TU allowed just one run on the afternoon, winning a pair of seven inning contests over IU South Bend (1-5).
Gongwer's no-hitter marked the first such accomplishment for a Trojan in over 15 seasons. The sophomore hurler fanned seven, while giving up just one walk throughout the outing. Taylor completed the victory by a score of 4-1, giving Gongwer his first win of the season.
TU (12-3) impacted the scoreboard from the fourth to sixth inning, picking up four runs on two extra-base hits, four walks and four stolen bases. Nick Rusche was a key cog in the Taylor lineup, collecting a double and a run in the fourth and a sacrifice fly for an RBI in the fifth.
Taylor displayed speed and discipline on the base paths on Saturday, nabbing six steals in game one and two in game two.
Following up a great performance from Gongwer, Luke Carlson (2-0) started on the mound for the second game of the day. The freshman picked up where Gongwer left off, posting four scoreless frames for the win.
TU's pitching dominated the Titans over the weekend allowing just one earned run during the four games from Friday and Saturday. The group posted fantastic numbers in the four-game span, logging a 0.30 earned run average, 0.83 walks plus hits per inning, .124 opponents' batting average and 38 strikeouts.
Christian McGill gathered the lone RBI for the Trojans in game two, while compiling two hits in three at bats. McGill's single in the fourth brought in Brett Lawson to give TU the lead that would stick until the final out. Taylor added another run in the sixth to cement the final score of 2-0 in favor of the Trojans.
Cy Stanley closed out the game, notching his second save of the season. The freshman fanned three over three innings without giving up a run, extending his season streak to 10-straight scoreless innings pitched.
Taylor is slated to return to action in a doubleheader at Cincinnati Christian (2-9) on Tuesday at 1:00 pm.