Offensive Outpour Secures Run-Rule Victory Over Grace

UPLAND, Ind. – Taylor used a 12-run fourth inning to dispatch Grace 12-2 in the opener before falling 13-9 for a CL split on Saturday afternoon at Gudakunst Field.

Delaynee McCreary led the offense throughout the day, driving nine runs, belting five hits and scoring four runs in a dynamic display. The senior outfielder belted a double and a home run in the twin-billing.

Claire Cullen (4-2) started inside the circle to begin the day and sent down the first seven batters before having to escape a bases-loaded jam in the third to keep the game scoreless. The sophomore righty allowed a run in both the fourth and fifth but ended the day with a complete game victory and five strikeouts in five frames.

The Trojan offense was quiet before exploding for 12 runs in the fourth inning. Kaylee Larkin began the inning with a single and two batters later; Ava Everman ripped a double to left-center to level the game at one. McCreary then picked up her first two RBI with a bases-loaded single.

After changing pitchers, Madisyn Standridge lined a two-RBI single to push the lead to 5-1 with nobody out. Taylor scored two more runs on plays the Lancers recorded outs. Four straight batters reached, before McCreary delivered the key hit with a bases-clearing double to put TU up by 10 and put the run-rule into effect. Standridge followed with an RBI double to cap the scoring in a historic inning.

The Trojans got on the board first in the second game, plating three in the second. McCreary continued her great day with an RBI single followed by a sacrifice fly by Standridge, before Lizzy Sinders roped double to center to push McCreary across the plate.

Grace answered with a three-run home run by Molly Jones in the third to tie the score at three apiece.

A two-out rally in the bottom of the inning restored Taylor's lead. Another bases-load hit by McCreary, her third of the day, drove in a pair before Standridge followed with a single through the left side for another run. The senior duo at the bottom of the order drove in 14 runs on Saturday, which nearly doubled the entire season output for the pair.

The wheels fell of in the fourth inning as Grace scored 10 runs to take a commanding 13-6 lead. After a pair of freshman hurlers struggled, Cullen came in and closed the inning after a three-run home run capped the scoring for the Lancers.

Cullen quieted Grace (7-17. 1-9 CL) the rest of the way to give Taylor hope for a comeback that failed to materialize.

Two runs in the bottom of the fourth via two-out RBI hits by Grace Mullins and Everman breathed life into the game. Mullins walked four times on Saturday in addition to a pair base knocks.

McCreary capped the day with a solo home run in the seventh, but TU was unable to rally after it in the defeat.

Taylor (11-11, 6-4 CL) continues it homestead with a matchup against Saint Francis (10-6, 6-2 CL) on Tuesday, March 24th, at Gudakunst field beginning at 3:00 pm.