MARION, Ind. -- A last inning rally fell short for the Indiana Wesleyan University baseball team as Taylor (Ind.) University completed a doubleheader sweep Thursday by scores of 4-1 and 3-2.

Trailing 3-2 in the bottom of the seventh of game two, designated hitter Quinn Nofziger and centerfielder CJ Sandmann hit back-to-back singles to put runners on first and second with one out. Taylor starting pitcher Taylor Luna would close out the game as he got catcher Alex Ridlen and rightfielder Derek Freds swinging through strike threes to secure the win.

Taylor (24-11, 12-0 MCC) took its first lead of the game in the top of the sixth 2-1 before Indiana Wesleyan answered with a tying run in the bottom half of the inning. With runners on second and third and one out, third baseman Jonathan Bastian grounded out to short as Freds tied the score at 2-2.

The Trojans scored the winning run in the next half inning due to two Wildcat errors to open the frame. With runners on the corner, starting pitcher Ryne Brown struck Michael Nassar out looking. But rightfielder Dominic Spadafora hit a sac fly to right to score pinch runner Luke Hofsommer.

Brown finished the game allowing seven hits and three runs - two earned - in seven innings. He walked three and struck out three to fall to 1-4 on the season.

Indiana Wesleyan (17-25, 8-10 MCC) outhit Taylor in the game 9-7 but committed three errors to just one for Taylor. Nofziger and Sandmann were both 2-for-4 at the plate as seven Wildcats had hits.

In the first game of the day, Indiana Wesleyan jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the third inning. Nofziger reached base on a fielder's choice, stole second and reached third on a Sandmann single. Catcher Alex Ridlen then laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to score Nofziger.

Taylor quickly responded with two runs in the top of the fourth on just two hits. TU added insurance runs in the fifth and sixth innings to lead 4-1. Indiana Wesleyan could only muster two hits in the final three innings to fall short.

Michael Caley was the pitcher of record for the Wildcats and is now 5-4 on the year. He pitched a complete game but allowed four runs on seven hits, two walks and six punch outs.

Sandmann was 2-for-3 at the dish with a steal while Nofziger was 1-for-3 with a walk, a run scored and a stolen base. Taylor outhit Indiana Wesleyan 7-4.

The two teams renew acquaintances on Saturday at 1 p.m. with a second doubleheader in Upland, Indiana.

Click for box scores:  Game 1   |   Game 2