MARION, Ind. -- Cross county foes Indiana Wesleyan University and Taylor (Ind.) University split a softball doubleheader on Wednesday in Marion despite Taylor being the home team for both games.

Taylor opened the evening with a convincing 6-2 victory before Indiana Wesleyan responded with a 6-4 win in the nightcap to complete the split.

The games were moved to Indiana Wesleyan because the Taylor field was unplayable after their tarp blew off in last night's storm. So despite playing at Wildcat Field, Indiana Wesleyan was the visiting team on the scoreboard and Taylor had the last bat.

Taylor (15-15, 8-4 MCC) took advantage of three Indiana Wesleyan errors in the first game as half of their runs were unearned off IWU starting pitcher Abbie Forman.

The Trojans scored single runs in the each of the first two innings and tacked on two more in the third to build a 4-0 advantage. The Wildcats got on the scoreboard in the top of the fourth when catcher Katie Smith hit a bullet that left the park in a hurry for a 4-1 game. TU quickly increased the spread back to four runs with one run in the bottom half of the inning.

Indiana Wesleyan (21-15, 7-7 MCC) cut the lead to 5-2 in the top of the sixth. With runners on the corner and one out, pinch runner Nicole Mullet was thrown out trying to steal second. But as that play developed, second baseman Gabby McIntire scampered home and beat the throw for the score.

The Wildcats would get no closer as the Trojans added their sixth run of the game in the sixth and IWU went 1-2-3 in the seventh to bring a close to the game.

Centerfielder Tamara Davis had the only multi-hit game for Indiana Wesleyan with a 2-for-3 performance. Forman allowed eight hits and four walks in seven innings of work while striking out two Trojans.

In game two, Indiana Wesleyan would be the team to jump out to an early lead with two in the top of the first. Davis tripled and chased home first baseman Erin Moeller for the first run and Davis would later score on a passed ball.

Indiana Wesleyan tacked on another run in the third, all with two outs. Designated player Dana Runyan walked and advanced to second on a passed ball. Shortstop Emily Sell doubled down the leftfield line to give IWU the 3-0 lead.

Taylor closed the gap back to two with a single run in the bottom of the third but Indiana Wesleyan quickly added on to the lead with a pair of fourth inning runs. With runners on the corner and two outs, Smith doubled to deep centerfield for two RBI's and a 5-1 Wildcat advantage.

The score remained 5-1 until the bottom of the sixth when Taylor pinned a three-spot on the scoreboard to draw within one at 5-4. Forman got out of the jam when she induced a pop out to third base with runners on second and third.

Indiana Wesleyan added an important insurance run in the top of the seventh when Runyan singled to left to score Davis.

Taylor threatened in the bottom of the seventh as they loaded the bases with two outs. Forman again got the big out with a swinging third strike to end the game at 6-4.

Forman allowed four runs - three earned - in seven innings. She walked three and struck out two to earn the win for the Wildcats.

Indiana Wesleyan outhit Taylor 9-8 in the game, led by a 3-for-4 performance from Davis who scored three runs and was only a home run shy of the cycle. Smith was 1-for-3 with two RBI's while Runyan was 1-for-2 with two walks, a run and one RBI.

Indiana Wesleyan returns to action tomorrow night at home versus Marian (Ind.) University. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. at Wildcat Field.

Click for box scores:  Game 1   |   Game 2