Steve Nafziger | Echo
The last time the Trojan baseball team lost to Indiana Wesleyan, this year's seniors were just learning how to drive. The first iPhone and the last "Harry Potter" book were released. The Florida Gators beat the Ohio State Buckeyes in the NCAA football and basketball championships.
The Wildcats' last victory over the Trojans came on April 28, 2007, a stretch that spanned seven seasons and 21 games. After a 4-0 sweep this week, the streak continues.
"I think (the winning streak) is something that our team and recent alumni take a lot of pride in," said head coach Kyle Gould.
Taylor swept Indiana Wesleyan in a doubleheader Monday with wins of 8-5 and 9-5 behind the bat of senior Jordan Coffey. TU came back home to host the Wildcats last night and swept them again, 4-1 and 9-0.
Monday's first game remained close until the sixth as the Wildcats responded each time Taylor took a lead. The rally started with a double to right-center by sophomore Jake West, who would score on a single from junior Brent Minta. Minta later crossed the plate to gain the 5-3 lead before Coffey knocked in junior Austin York with a deep shot over the center-field fence to stretch the lead to 7-3.
"Our offense has really gotten going here the past two weeks," Gould said. "It's nice to see us scoring more runs and giving us a chance to win games."
Junior Josh DeGraaf recorded the win with a complete game, allowing seven hits and fanning eight batters. DeGraaf gave up just one walk and four earned runs to bring his ERA to 2.36 and improve to 8-2 on the season.
"It is very easy to pitch when you have an incredible defense behind you making plays, saving runs and taking away hits," DeGraaf said.
The Monday night game proved to be similar for the Trojans as Coffey's power propelled Taylor to an early lead. After sophomore Kevin Fahy scored in the first inning off a double to deep left-center from Coffey, the Trojans used a five-run second inning to extend the lead and never looked back.
West led off the scoring in the fifth as he crossed the plate on a walk drawn by Fahy. With the bases still loaded and two outs, Coffey stepped up and cranked a grand slam to record his fifth RBI of the game. Coffey turned in four hits in as many at bats and was just a triple away from the cycle.
"I've been fortunate enough to find a groove as of late, which has been great," Coffey said. "I attribute a lot of that to other guys in the lineup getting on base."
Senior Eric Kartman collected seven strikeouts in five innings as he recorded the win. Senior Caleb Miller closed out the game, giving up just three hits and striking out two.
In game one of last night's doubleheader, freshman pitcher Luke Hunter gave up just six hits and one earned run in a complete game as Taylor took down IWU 4-1.
The nightcap was all Trojans as Coffey blasted his third home run of the week to carry TU to the 9-0 win. Sophomore Cody Bayle pitched an impressive complete game shutout, allowing just four hits.
Taylor is now 30-18 on the season and 22-8 in Crossroads League play. The Trojans travel to Mishawaka, Ind., to face Bethel for a doubleheader Saturday beginning at 1 p.m. They close out the regular season next Tuesday as they host the Pilots, with the first game slated for 2 p.m.
Photography by Josh Adams
