Alec Tebben | Echo
The Taylor softball team won its fifth straight game on Saturday, March 2. The game was the fourth and final competition in a series against Indiana University Southeast.
"I think that it was good to play them early in the season just to build confidence and team chemistry before jumping right into conference games," sophomore Lauren Kanai said.
The series began with a doubleheader on Wednesday, February 27. The first game ended after five innings instead of the usual seven. A "mercy rule" allowed the Trojans to take the victory early with an 8-0 score. Junior Taylor Wilson said they made it a goal to have a run every inning. She also said their mindset of being aggressive at the plate helped their success in that game.
The second game was tied 2-2 at the beginning of the seventh inning, but the Trojans proceeded to score four runs to secure their second victory of the day.
The series continued with another doubleheader on Saturday. Game three went into an eighth inning with a score of 1-1, but the Trojans still came out with the win.
"They made some really good plays in the outfield, though. It was kind of an outfielder's war," Head Coach Erin Kotlarz said in reference to game three.
Game four ended with an 8-4 victory for Taylor.
Kotlarz said pitching was key to their success in all four games, as well as in the entirety of their season so far.
"And we went deep in our pitching staff too, so they all came in and they pitched really well," Kotlarz said.
Kotlarz also said the team has been limiting their errors on defense this season, which was something that cost them some games last season.
Wilson said an upbeat attitude in the dugout has been characteristic of the team all season.
"I want them to play loose, I want them to have fun, and I truly believe they play best when they have fun," Kotlarz said.
