MARION, Ind. (Box 1, Box 2)-- Taylor (Ind.) University won both ends of the Mid-Central College Conference baseball doubleheader on Thursday against Indiana Wesleyan University at Wildcat Field.
The opener was a pitching duel that lasted 10 innings and ended with a 2-1 Taylor victory. The nightcap was 9-5 in favor of the visitors.
The first game was tied 1-1 after seven innings. Taylor loaded the bases with one out in the top of the 10th and was able to plate one run on a bases loaded walk. Relief pitcher Tim Zeigler entered the contest and kept the damage to a minimum as he got two outs and stranded three runners.
Indiana Wesleyan (14-30, 5-13 MCC) created their own threat in the bottom half of the inning. IWU loaded the bases with two outs but was unable to score the tying run from 90 feet away.
Senior starting pitcher Josh Worrell went 9-1/3 innings for the Wildcats. He pitched himself in and out of jams all night long as he scattered five hits and nine walks. Worrell gave up two earned runs and struck out 10 Trojans.
Left fielder TJ Fletcher and first baseman Kyle Beachy each led the offensive attack with three hits apiece. Centerfielder Kory Hollensteiner was 2-for-4 with a double and a stolen base. Indiana Wesleyan out hit Taylor 11-5.
Taylor (24-12, 10-4 MCC) plated the first run of the second game in the top of the first. But Indiana Wesleyan responded with a four spot in the bottom half of the inning for a 4-1 lead.
But the Trojans blew the game open with a five run fourth and a three run sixth inning and pulled out the eventual 9-5 win.
Hollensteiner and catcher Alex Ridlen each contributed three hits for the Wildcats. Right fielder CJ Sandmann went 2-for-3 with a run and a RBI while Jeremy Worrell was 1-for-4 with two RBI.
Indiana Wesleyan once again out hit Taylor, this time by a 14-11 margin.
The two teams will meet again on Saturday, April 18 in Upland, Indiana.
