UPLAND, Ind. – The Goshen baseball team got back in the win column on Friday evening, and they did so against a formidable opponent.
After being run-ruled 12-1 in the first game, Goshen defeated Taylor 3-2 in game two in walk-off fashion. Taylor is receiving votes in the NAIA coaches poll. Goshen was the home team in both games because they were initially supposed to be played in Goshen on Thursday.
"You could see us mature a little bit today in that we didn't panic when things didn't go our way," shared head coach
Alex Childers. "We hung around and finally got a big hit in a big spot."
Taylor scored more than half of their runs from game one in the second inning alone. They only had two hits that inning but got four baserunners from walks and one that was hit by a pitch. The Trojans had a three-run home run from TJ Bass in the sixth before adding two more runs in the seventh. Goshen's only run came in the fifth when
Char Reeves hit a sacrifice fly to left that scored
Evan Creager.
Eric Pettipiece came in to pitch in the second inning for Goshen and pitched through the sixth. He struck out seven and walked just one, allowing four earned runs on six hits.
Joshua Rubio and
Morgan Baker combined for four of Goshen's five hits.
Taylor's Matt Dutkowski threw all seven innings and has a record of 5-0 this season. He struck out nine and walked one. Nick Rusche was a perfect 3-3 at the plate with two runs and an RBI.
Goshen was more in control in the second game, and it helped with
Peyton Smith's start on the mound. Smith allowed just one hit in five innings pitched and struck out four. "It all starts on the mound," said Childers. "We got a big start from Peyton that kept us in the ball game."
Offensively, Goshen supported Smith in the second when
Trent Sillett hit an RBI groundout that brought in Reeves. In the fourth, a single from Creager scored Baker.
Taylor came back with two runs of their own. The first was an unearned run in the fifth on a passed ball, and then Bass doubled in the seventh to bring in a run and tie it up.
Justin Harris got hit by a pitch in the bottom of the seventh, and
Kyle Staelgraeve came in to pinch run. Then,
Nate Lange singled on a bunt to advance Staelgraeve to second. Next,
Camm Nickell hit a walk-off single to left field that sent Staelgraeve across home plate and sealed a massive 3-2 victory for the Maple Leafs.
"It was great to see Camm come through at that moment," added Childers. "I'm proud of them for sticking together and just finding a way to win in a game against a really quality opponent."
Josh Murphy threw the final two frames for GC, allowing one earned run and two hits. He struck out two and walked none. Creager and Baker each had two hits for Goshen.
This was the first time the Maple Leafs have picked up a win while allowing three or fewer hits since a February 29, 2020, victory at Edward Waters College. Goshen won that game 3-2 and allowed just two hits.
Taylor came into Friday's games with a 21-9 record and 11-3 mark in the Crossroads League. Heading into game two, they were riding on an eight-game winning streak.
Goshen continues the series at Taylor on Saturday. The games have been moved up to 10:00 am in an effort to avoid the rain.
