Eric Andrews | The Echo
Taylor softball has a new all-time hits leader.
Junior outfielder Alex Lovelace eclipsed 2014 graduate Emily Tweedy's all-time hits record on Wednesday, as the Trojans split a doubleheader against Saint Francis.
Lovelace started off the day for the Trojans by reaching base on the first at-bat of the game because of a Saint Francis fielding error. Junior second baseman Anna Gunderson walked and junior catcher Lauren Ehle laid down a sacrifice bunt to advance Lovelace and Gunderson.
Senior pitcher Ashley Miller singled to bring home both runners, giving the Trojans an early 2-0 lead. Lovelace's run tied the all-time runs scored record of 140, previously held by Tweedy as well.
Miller allowed four combined runs in the second and third innings, putting the Trojans in a 4-2 hole heading into the fourth inning.
The Trojans cut the deficit to one run in the fourth inning when Gunderson brought in junior catcher Jessie Britt on a groundout RBI.
The Cougars responded in the bottom of the inning, slapping a two-run home run to put themselves ahead for good.
The Trojans managed to put one final run on the board in the seventh inning when junior pitcher Hannah Robbins scored on junior outfielder Morgan Allison's RBI double.
When the final out was recorded, the scoreboard read 6-4 in favor of Saint Francis.
"We competed well," said head coach Brad Bowser. "(We) would love to find a way to win close games, but we have still been making a few mistakes to the point that it keeps us from getting over the top."
Looking to rebound in game two, the offensive charge began where it started in game one, with Lovelace getting on base with a double. The hit tied the Taylor all-time hits record of 219.
Robbins brought in Lovelace on the next at-bat on a single, giving the Trojans an early 1-0 lead. The run gave Lovelace the 141st of her career, breaking the Taylor all-time record for runs scored.
As in game one, the Cougars responded, plating three runs through four innings, holding a 3-1 lead heading into the fifth inning.
The top of the fifth inning was a game-changing, record-breaking effort for the Trojans.
Lovelace led off, singling to right field, establishing a new Taylor all-time hits mark of 220.
Robbins singled to right field in the next at-bat and sophomore catcher Davis Carter doubled two batters later, plating both Lovelace and Robbins to tie the game 3-3.
Freshman pitcher Courtney Moriarty singled and Allison tripled, bringing home two more runs for the Trojans. Junior first baseman Briley Spencer brought in Allison with a RBI single. Following a Saint Francis pitching change, freshman outfielder Justice Carmichael singled to bring in Spencer.
After another pitching change, Lovelace capitalized on a Saint Francis fielding error, scoring Carmichael as a result. Robbins then doubled to bring home Lovelace, her fourth run of the day, bringing her runs scored total to 143. The run capped an eight-run inning for the Trojans, giving them a 9-3 lead.
The Cougars responded with a run in the bottom of the inning, but the Trojans answered in the sixth inning with a RBI from freshman second baseman Andi Stewart and tacked on a second run on a fielder's choice.
Moriarty put the cherry on top for the Trojans in the seventh inning, belting a two-run home run to give the Trojans a 13-4 lead. Moriarty also recorded the victory on the mound, earning her fifth win of the season.
"We hit the ball well on Wednesday," Bowser said. "I feel that several players are starting to turn the corner at the plate and starting to compete really well at the plate."
Bowser also had high praise for Lovelace, noting her work ethic and versatility as her strengths.
"She is one of our hardest workers in the cage. She stays late, comes early and finds ways to get more work in so she is prepared when she gets into game situations," Bowser said. "She is a smart hitter. She can do anything-slap, bunt, hit line drives and hit for power. She is able to take what the defense gives her."
Lovelace cites previous coaches and batting instructors as the reasons her approach at the plate is at the level it is today.
The teammates that have helped her along the way at Taylor, as well as strong mentoring from Bowser, are why Lovelace feels she has been successful for the Trojans. Lovelace also acknowledges that, while setting the record is exciting, it has also helped build her confidence on the field, an attribute she feels is among her strongest.
"It's exciting to break a record like this," Lovelace said. "But more than anything, it will just give me the confidence and drive to keep doing what I've been doing and getting better each day."
The Trojans return to action this afternoon, as they travel to Huntington to take on the Foresters in a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
"Photograph by Fayth Glock"
