Simpson’s Go-Ahead Blast Salvages DH Split with Madonna

UPLAND, Ind. – Nate Simpson delivered a go-ahead home run in the Trojans' final at-bat as No. 9 Taylor (12-1) staged a late comeback and salvaged a doubleheader split against Madonna (6-5) in near-freezing temperatures on Saturday. The Trojans bounced back with an 11-8 victory in the seven-inning nightcap to claim the three-game weekend series win at Winterholter Field, after falling 13-7 in the first game of the twinbill which snapped TU's 11-game win streak.

In Game 2, TU trailed 4-3 entering the bottom of the sixth as Rylee Singleton reached on a fielding error to spark the rally. Simpson stepped up next and drove a deep blast that soared over the right-field wall to put the Trojans in the lead, 5-4. It was Simpson's first home run of the season and third of his Trojan career.

Ben Kennedy followed Simpson's home run with a triple, and then the floodgates opened as the Trojans piled on six more runs after hitting through the lineup. Fletcher Roemmich slapped a clutch two-run single through the right side for a 7-4 lead, and Drew Graft was plunked by a pitch with the bases loaded before three unearned runs came around on a throwing error to cap the scoring with the Trojans leading 11-4.

Madonna didn't go quietly in the last frame, threatening with four runs and placing the potential tying run on deck before TU reliever Luke Klunke induced the game-ending fly out to right field.

The Trojans gained an early 3-1 advantage after two frames following a pair of home runs by Luke Sutter in his first two at-bats. The junior recorded a solo shot in the first inning and followed that up with a two-run homer in the second, which followed a Roemmich double. It was Sutter's first career multi-home run game, and he now stands with three long balls and nine total multi-hit games on the season.

However, the Crusaders took control off one swing of the bat in the next inning, as Ty Stepek hammered a three-run homer to left center to put the visitors ahead 4-3 in the third. Stepek was a tough out all day, finishing the doubleheader a combined 4 for 7 with two doubles, a home run, five RBIs and six runs scored.

Gage Gongwer took over on the mound in the fifth inning and picked up his second win of the season. He didn't allow a hit until Stepek's two-run double in the seventh, finishing with four strikeouts in 2.1 innings. Starter JT Tabor went four innings in the no-decision and struck out six, with no walks.

Sutter (2-3, 2 HR, 3 RBIs), Simpson (2-4, HR 2 RBIs), Kennedy (2-3, 2B, 3B) and Roemmich (2-4, 2B, 2 RBIs) led the offense in Game 2, as the Trojans outhit the Crusaders 9-6. The two teams combined for seven errors in the cold weather conditions.

Madonna reliever Matthew Sevensma (3.0 IP, 3 H, 2 ER, 5 K) took the loss, falling to 0-2 on the season. Starter Ethan Gajeweski went two innings and surrendered three runs on five hits, including the pair of home runs to Sutter.

In Game 1, the Trojans jumped out to a 4-1 lead like the series-opening victory on Thursday but couldn't keep the momentum rolling. Taylor finished the opening contest on Saturday with 17 runners left on base, while the Crusaders found their stride offensively at the plate.

Madonna plated one run in the first and third innings, five in the fourth, three in the fifth and two in the sixth. The visitors tacked on the final run in the eighth for the six-run triumph.

After the big fourth inning for the Crusaders, Taylor responded with three runs in the bottom half of the inning to even the score at 7-7. Quinn Kunkel reached on a fielder's choice with the bases loaded to make the score 7-5, and then Simpson singled up the middle to make it 7-6. Brennan Frickel drew a bases-loaded walk to bring the tying run across and level the score at 7-7.

But the Crusaders gained the lead right back on first baseman Donnie Thompson's two-run home run in the top of the fifth, and the visitors took control of the remainder of the opening contest.

Kennedy went 3 for 4 with a double and RBI single to lead the Trojans at the dish, where he finished the day going 5 for 7 with three extra-base hits. It was the senior shortstop's second three-hit outing of the year.

Simpson (2-5, 2 RBIs), Roemmich (2-5) and Jordan Malott (2-3, 2 BB) also recorded multi-hit outings. In addition, junior transfer Kaden Wu connected on his first career hit at Winterholter Field, and Sutter logged a base knock.

The Trojans were outhit in the first game 13-11 with each team committing two errors.

Starter Nick Crabtree tallied five strikeouts, with two runs (one earned) on three hits and one walk through 2.1 innings, while reliever Nathan Frady (1.2 IP) was charged with his first loss.

Madonna reliever Jason Jurczyk Jr. picked up his first win as the lefty tossed 3.1 shutout frames with three strikeouts.

The ninth-ranked Trojans are scheduled to return to action Tuesday at home against IU Kokomo, with first pitch set for 2 p.m. at Winterholter Field.