UPLAND, Ind. – Indiana Wesleyan softball lost a pair of games in their league opener against Taylor on Wednesday. The Wildcat bats struggled in game one as they were shutout 8-0. In game two the Wildcats scored early, but a couple of big innings for Taylor proved costly as they lost 16-8. Following the pair of losses, the Wildcats are now 9-9 on the season and 0-2 in Crossroads League play. 

GAME ONE VITALS

• FINAL SCORE: Indiana Wesleyan 0 Taylor 9 
• PITCHING: (W) Maddi Evans (L) Mckenzey Ridge
• RECORDS: Indiana Wesleyan 9-8, Taylor 10-3

GAME ONE HIGHLIGHTS

• The Wildcats struggled on offense only collecting two hits and a walk. Jennah Yost had a single in the top of the first and Sydney Williams singled to center in the top of the fifth. 
• Mckenzey Ridge and Addie Benham each pitched a pair of innings, but neither were able to find much success allowing eight runs on twelve hits, with only one walk. 

GAME TWO VITALS

• FINAL SCORE: Indiana Wesleyan 8 Taylor 16 
• PITCHING: (W) Jessica Doctor (L) Mady McMillan
• RECORDS: Indiana Wesleyan 9-9, Taylor 11-3

GAME TWO HIGHLIGHTS

• The Wildcat scored early with a two-run home run by Miranda Wehrle in the top of the first. The home run was Wehrle's fifth of the season. 
• After Taylor responded with four runs in the bottom of the first the Wildcats added three runs in the top of the second to make it 5-4
• Taylor took a 9-5 lead in the bottom of the third before Indiana Wesleyan pulled within one with a three-run homer by Addie Benham in the top of the fourth to make it 9-8.
• Wildcats would fall short as Taylor added seven runs in the bottom of the fifth.  

COACH BABINSKI'S PERSPECTIVE 

• "We ran into a good Taylor team that was on fire tonight. I am proud of the grit that we showed in game two as we continued to battle."
• "While the final scoreboard didn't show it, there were some good things to build upon from today."

UP NEXT

• IWU visits Crossroads League opponent Goshen on March 13 for a doubleheader. 
• First pitch vs. Goshen is scheduled for 3:00 PM.
• The games will be played in Goshen, Ind at the Goshen College Softball Complex.
• The Wildcats swept their season series against Goshen last year with a 4-0 record.

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