MAR. 18 — Rallies Not Enough To Trump Taylor On Road
Goshen makes things interesting down stretch but falter in 6-7; 3-4 defeats

Upland, IN — The Goshen College baseball team’s “refuse to quit” mentality must be pleasing to first-year head coach Josh Keister.

If only it could avoid situations that warrant such a mantra.

Facing Mid-Central Conference rival Taylor University Saturday afternoon, Keister’s team found itself trailing heading into the final innings for the third time in as many games. And, unfortunately for the Leafs, Goshen could not capitalize on late-game surges, falling to the host Trojans by 6-7 and 3-4 scores in heartbreaking fashion.

“Losing games like these are tough,” Keister said. “Even though we only lost each game by one run, we only had a lead once and it was only for a half inning. You have to give Taylor credit because they easily could have folded in both games when the going got tough but they found a way to stop the bleeding in each game. They came up with the big out when they needed it.”

Goshen (6-14, 2-4) appeared to be in major trouble toward the conclusion of the first affair, as Taylor’s 2-0 lead through four and a half innings of play ballooned to 6-0 following a four-run fifth inning. Senior Ben Taylor (2-3) did his best to hold things down on the pitcher’s mound, but four unearned Trojan scores put the onus back on the Leafs’ defense.

Somehow, Goshen rallied in its half of the sixth. Led by sophomore Mike Staehle, Keister’s team recorded four runs in the stanza, pulling to within two heading into the seventh inning. The Trojans added what turned out to be a much-needed insurance run in the bottom of the sixth, as again Goshen’s magic would produce a dramatic finish in the top of the seventh.

After plating a pair of runs, Goshen had runners in scoring position with two outs retired. After the Trojans shortstop threw the ball away in attempting to throw out a runner at first, Goshen sent a runner toward home for the tying run. A close play at the plate followed, but the umpire ruled the Leafs out, ending the game in the process.

Staehle led the way at the plate for Goshen, going 2-4 with a double and scoring two runs. Taylor did his best to aide a solid pitching effort — six full innings pitched, seven strikeouts and just two walks — going 2-4 from the plate as well while driving in a pair of runs. Freshman Kyle Koch posted a 2-3 effort on offense, collecting a double, while sophomore Alex Childers was a speedster on the basepaths, scoring twice.

Again forced to gather itself following a heartbreaking defeat, Keister’s squad responded. A quick 1-0 lead after two and a half innings of play would be short-lived in Game Two, as Taylor posted three runs in the bottom of the third to claim the lead for good. Goshen again attempted a dramatic comeback: A one-run sixth and seventh innings paved the way for hope at the tail end of the contest, only to be outdone by a remarkable Trojan play in the field.

With two outs retired and the bases loaded in the top of the seventh, sophomore Chris Hostetler blasted a shot to deep center field that appeared to have enough carry to drive in multiple runs for the lead. Instead, Taylor’s Michael Bentley was able to make an impressive, over-the-shoulder grab, ending yet another game in gut-wrenching fashion for Goshen.

Freshman Kyle Shaffer led the offensive charge for Goshen in the day’s second contest, going 2-4 from the plate. Hostetler finished 1-2 with a run scored, while freshman Ian Swartz and senior Greg Koop each finished with a hit and an RBI. Staehle finished 1-2 from the plate while Taylor and junior Nate Colclasure each went 1-4.

Junior Dann Hunt (2-3) was saddled with the loss on the mound, going the distance while striking out five batters and walking none. Just two of Taylor’s four runs were earned.

Goshen was without the services of junior outfielder Brian Shelton and sophomore outfielder Nate Montiel, each of which had family matters to attend to during the day.

“We continued out offensive struggles early in both games today,” Keister said. “We have a tough group of guys this year and I’m confident that they will stick together and find a way to break out of our current struggles and come up with some big wins in the near future.”

Goshen will next take a hiatus from MCC play when the team hosts Manchester College on Tuesday for a pair of seven-inning contests. Game time for the first tilt is set for 1 p.m. at the Goshen College Baseball Complex.