Bethel's Big Bats Hold off Trojans

April 02, 2009

Taylor Softball came into the matchup with No. 9 Bethel College the underdog, but came out fighting and presented a challenge to the Pilots in the MCC doubleheader. The Pilots (25-3, 7-1) played long ball, and a three-run home run in each game made the difference as Taylor came up short by the scores of 5-2 and 5-0.

Game one was a battle, as both teams recorded 9 hits and had chances to score runs in almost every inning. TU pitcher Jill Tomaszewski fought the ninth-ranked Pilots hard, gaining one strikeout and scattering the nine hits. Bethel ran the base paths effectively and a fourth inning home run by Mandy Cripe broke a 1-1 tie to give the Pilots the lead, 4-1.

The Taylor offense fought back, cutting the deficit to 5-2 in the fourth. The Trojans just could not get the quality hit to put them over the top, as they left 10 runners on base in the game. Lindsey Arnold plated the 2 runs with a 2-2 game at the plate. Laura Strode and Emily Kramer both added 2-for-3 outings.

Even down to their last chances the Trojans did not give up. In the bottom of the seventh with one out, senior Lindsey Stone stepped to the plate with two on. Stone hit a towering fly to left field that was caught at the warning track, stifling the Trojans' last chance to tie the game.

In game two, junior pitcher Jess Fankhauser mowed down 8 Pilot batters, but 10 hits and two walks were too much for the Taylor offense to overcome. Taylor's strong defense in game one went awry for one inning and Bethel took advantage. Bethel scored 5 runs in the third inning, including another 3-run homer, this time by Brittney Fisher. That was all the runs Taylor would allow, but it was all the Pilots needed as Rachel Zirille gave up only two hits in a 5-0 shutout.

With the sweep Bethel moves to 25-3 on the year and 7-1 in the conference. Taylor has faced off against the best the MCC has to offer and now focuses on Saturday's matchup with Saint Francis (6-18, 0-6). First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.