By Elizabeth Luke | Echo
Taylor women's softball dominated their senior day with two consecutive victories over Huntington College at home. Freshman Ashley Miller and sophomore Hannah Klebesadel both pitched outstanding games leading the Trojans to victory.
"We knew that these were both games we needed to win, and we went out there and did exactly that," said head coach Brad Bowser.
With Miller on the mound, the Trojans held the Foresters to only two runs in the first game. Emily Tweedy opened the game with a double followed with a hit by Karon Early. On a Huntington throwing error, Early stole third sending Tweedy to across home plate to give the Trojans their first run of the day. Early in the game, freshman Taylor Murray slammed a home run out of the park placing the Trojans ahead with a solid 3-1 lead. Miller struck out an impressive four Huntington batters while on the mound.
A single from senior Sarah Heath, followed by two doubles, earned from Tweedy and junior Caitlin Vukorpa, contributed to the 7-2 victory in the next three innings.
Klebesadel continued the excellent pitching in game two, striking out four players on the game as well as gaining three hits at the plate. In the second inning, freshman Mackenzie Hiers stole second as Heath successfully stole home. Huntington scored their only run of the game when Shellabarger hit a powerful home run solo over the fence.
Tweedy opened the bottom of the fifth with her third double of the day. Heath followed with a double to left field sending Tweedy home.
"Yesterday was the first time that we just went out, played hard and looked awesome," Tweedy said. "It was fun since we were able to really compete."
Klebesadel held Huntington off for the last two innings as Taylor claimed the 2-1 victory over the Foresters.
"We have been so close so many times this year," Bowser said. "We came and took care of business. The pitchers both pitched impressive games, and Emily Tweedy looked really good at the plate hitting three doubles for the team. Taylor Murray really contributed in the first game with her home run as well."
After dropping two games to Marian on Thursday, the Trojans are now 7-9 and just one game back of both Huntington and Grace who are 8-8 and tied for fifth in the crossroads league. Taylor will travel to Spring Arbor on Saturday for a doubleheader with start times slated for 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
There will be a dedication service at 12 p.m. today in the Alsbaugh West dining commons for the new Gudakunst Field that was donated before this year's softball season. The dedication will feature Donna Gudakunst, the donor of the money that went towards the new field.
