Andrew Nevins | Echo
Taylor softball improved to 13-7 overall and 7-5 in conference play with a pair of wins over Bethel on Friday, March 30.
The offense was blistering for the Trojans as they raced out to an 18-0 victory in game one, followed by a 7-1 win in game two.
The Trojans burst out of the gate to the tune of an 11-0 lead at the close of the first inning, led by senior shortstop Cassie Kuizin's lead-off home run. Freshman first baseman Lauren Kanai added a grand slam, followed by junior outfielder Hannah Castor's three-run homer.
Kuizin tacked on another grand slam in the second, while the Trojans added another three runs in the third, giving them the run-rule victory.
In game two, Bethel struck first, but that lead was short lived, as Kanai hit a solo homer in the second to knot the score at one apiece. Taylor took the lead on a run by Kuizin thanks to junior outfielder Courtney Moriarty's sacrifice fly.
The Trojans blitzed the Pilots with five runs in the seventh inning to take home the 7-1 victory.
"I think just building off each other's hitting, because hitting is contagious as they say, and I think that really showed," Kanai said.
The Trojans may be on a four-game win streak, but their season has had its fair share of difficulties as well.
Taylor's in-game experience has been cut short due to the unseasonal weather plaguing the Midwest.
"We had a slow start," said sophomore pitcher Darby Shaw. "A lot of our preseason games got canceled. The weather hasn't been the best, but we're starting to finally click."
According to Kanai, in order for the Trojans to attain national recognition, they have to win most of their games from here on out.
Head coach Brad Bowser emphasized the importance of playing free and relaxed in pressure situations. The team believes this mindset will be key for them entering the stretch run of the season and into the postseason.
Shaw said the Trojans are trying to stay in a rhythm despite many of their games being canceled. Taylor continues its season today with a doubleheader at Grace beginning at 3 p.m.
"Photograph by Brad Timmerman"
