Taylor Softball Win Streak Reaches Four

March 24, 2009

The Taylor softball team ran their win streak to four straight games with victories over North Central College and St. Olaf College Tuesday. With a 7-4 victory over North Central, and an 8-0 run-rule victory over St. Olaf, Taylor has now won four of five games at the Tucson Invitational.

Against North Central, Taylor continued to swing the bats well, recording 15 hits. The Trojans took control of the game with a 3-run fourth inning. Sophomore Maggie Burns came up big with a triple, scoring three teammates in order to take the lead. TU finished off the game scoring in each of the final two innings to take the game 7-4.

Limiting the Cardinals offense was senior Jill Tomaszewski as she pitched a complete game. She gained the win while allowing 4 runs on 10 hits, striking out 1 with no walks. The win is the senior's third on the season.

Adding to Burns' offensive output were seven other Trojans. Laura Strode and Lindsey Stone each recorded three hits, Laurie Shumaker, Alyssa Brodbeck and Tomaszewski added 2 apiece to lead Taylor to the victory.

In the second game of the day, Taylor again faced off against the Oles from St. Olaf. After defeating them 9-1 in six innings the day before, TU softball made sure a second helping would be much of the same. It took only 5 innings to finish the game as an 8-0 victory led to the Trojans' fourth in a row.

Kristen Bauer took to the mound with confidence, coming off her first collegiate win the day before. The freshman struck out 2 and allowed only 3 hits in the 5 inning shutout win.

The TU offense continued to pound the ball, recording 9 hits in 5 innings. For the second straight day Taylor decided to play long ball as junior Liz Lewellen hit a 2 run home run. Lindsey Arnold, who homered Monday, added 2 hits. Alyssa Brodbeck, Emily Kramer, Jill Tomaszewski and Bauer all added hits and an RBI to assist in the offensive output.

The win pushes Taylor two games over .500 for the first time this season. At 10-8 the Trojans next take on the challenge of two teams with winning records, Gustavus Adolphus College (8-2) and Luther College (8-1) on Wednesday starting at 9:00 with the second game beginning at 11 a.m.