Kyle Keck | Echo
A slugfest in Lebanon, Tenn., resulted in two road wins for the No. 25-ranked Taylor softball team.
Taylor entered the weekend 3-1 on the season as it faced off against Cumberland University and Tennessee Wesleyan University. The Trojans wiped out Cumberland with a 5-1 win, followed by a 6-4 comeback victory over Tennessee Wesleyan. The two wins made for a five-game winning streak and a joyful bus ride home.
Sophomore Hannah Robbins received the start from the mound and highlighted game one versus Cumberland. Robbins struck out three of the first four hitters. The sophomore slinger finished with eight strikeouts while allowing a mere one run and five hits, all of which contributed to her complete game win.
Robbins improved her record to 2-0 and pocketed 20 strikeouts and a 0.89 earned run average in 15 and 2/3 innings pitched. Her performance over the weekend earned her the Crossroads League Pitcher of the Week honor. Considering Robbins had surgery on her elbow this past summer, her early success is exciting for both the pitcher and the team.
"For me personally, it is just nice to be back throwing without the pain I had last year," Robbins said. "I am working hard to get back to where I was before the injury."
Along with Robbins' stellar pitching, the Trojans made solid contact with the ball. Sophomore Alex Lovelace, the Crossroads League Player of the Week, reached base seven times in eight at-bats over the course of Taylor's two games this weekend. Lovelace also scored three runs, drove in one run and stole two bases in the two games combined.
Lovelace ranks No. 13 in the NAIA with her 0.619 batting average, loudly reminding opposing pitchers why she is the returning Crossroads League Player of the Year and an NAIA 2nd Team All-American.
Taylor's hot start propelled the team to a 5-1 record, which head coach Brad Bowser is pleased to see.
"We have been really good offensively to the begin the season," Bowser said. "We also have battled on the mound. Our pitchers have kept us in ballgames and will get into a groove as they start pitching a little more. I'm excited to see how this team will do this year. We have a very competitive group of players who desire to play well every day."
Taylor will head to Lindenwood University in St. Charles, Mo., to play four games Friday and Saturday.Photograph by Josh Adams
