UPLAND, IND. - Indiana Wesleyan Baseball fell to Taylor in both games of a doubleheader at Winterholter Field, losing the first game 8–6 and the second game 11–6. In the first game, the Wildcats collected 11 hits, including five doubles, but the Trojans' four home runs proved decisive. In the second game, Indiana Wesleyan recorded 10 hits and three doubles, but Taylor's three home runs powered their victory.
THE ESSENTIALS
- Location: Upland, Ind. | Winterholter Field
- Records: IWU - 26-19, 19-13 | TU - 42-3, 29-2
- Game One Score: TU def. IWU 8-6
- Game Two Score: TU def. IWU 11-6
- NAIA Rankings: IWU - NR | TU - #1
GAME ONE RECAP
- In the first game, the Wildcats opened with a strong first inning, scoring three runs. Greg Vineyard singled up the middle, followed by Jay Tomes with a bunt single. Braxton Brosmer reached on a fielder's choice, setting up Matthew Drozlek's RBI single that brought home Tomes. Ben Seitzinger added another RBI with a single, and Nick Wiley contributed with a fielder's choice RBI, bringing the score to 3–0. However, the Trojans responded with four runs in their half, highlighted by Ben Kennedy's grand slam, giving them a 4–3 lead after the first inning.
- The fourth inning saw the Wildcats tally three more runs. Trevor Vojtkofsky doubled to center, and a fielding error allowed Jackson Mott, running for Vojtkofsky, to score. A wild pitch brought Carson Bush home, and a groundout by Tomes scored Vineyard, leveling the score at 6–6. TU countered with solo home runs from Jace Schrock and Brady Gerig, regaining a 7–6 lead through four innings. Taylor extended its lead in the fifth inning when Quinn Kunkel's RBI single made it 8–6. IWU's offense was held in check for the remainder of the game, leaving the final score at 8–6 in favor of TU.
- Noah Wathen started for Indiana Wesleyan, pitching 3.1 innings and allowing seven earned runs on seven hits, including four home runs, while striking out three batters. Kenna Rankin Jr. relieved and pitched 1.2 innings, conceding one earned run on two hits with two strikeouts. Grayson Schneider faced two batters, recording one strikeout and hitting one batter. Tarick McGlothin pitched effectively over 2.2 innings, giving up just one hit and striking out two, contributing a solid performance in relief.
KEY WILDCATS
GAME TWO RECAP
- In the second game, Taylor took an early lead in the first inning when Fletcher Roemmich was hit by a pitch and later scored on a double play, leaving Indiana Wesleyan trailing 1-0 after the first inning. The second inning saw a balk allowing Brennan Frickel to score, followed by a two-run homer by Rylee Singleton, extending Taylor's lead to 4-0. The Wildcats remained scoreless through two innings.
- Trevor Vojtkofsky doubled in the third inning and was replaced by pinch runner Jackson Mott, who scored on a single by Greg Vineyard. However, Taylor responded with a three-run homer by Ben Kennedy, pushing its lead to 7-1 after three innings. The fourth inning saw Matthew Drozlek score on a double by Nick Wiley for Indiana Wesleyan, but the Trojans continued to surge with another home run from Ben Kennedy, leading to an 11-2 advantage through four innings.
- The fifth and sixth innings were quiet, with neither team adding to the scoreboard. Indiana Wesleyan attempted a comeback in the seventh inning with Trevor Vojtkofsky hitting a solo home run, Braxton Brosmer doubling to bring in two runs, and Matthew Drozlek adding another RBI with a single, managing four runs in the inning. Despite the effort, Indiana Wesleyan fell short, concluding the game with an 11-6 loss to Taylor.
- Kevin Corcoran started on the mound for the red and grey, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing seven earned runs on five hits, with two home runs conceded. He issued two walks, hit three batters, and struck out one, throwing 54 pitches with 27 strikes. Zach Troxel followed, pitching 1.2 innings, giving up four earned runs on eight hits, including one home run, and recording one strikeout. Tate Warner closed the game for Indiana Wesleyan, pitching two innings without surrendering a run, throwing 21 pitches with 13 strikes.
KEY WILDCATS
LOOKING AHEAD
- IWU heads to Fort Wayne to face #22 Indiana Tech on April 21 at 5:00 PM.
- Links for live stats will be available at IWUWildcats.com.
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