Taulbee’s three-hit day powers Bay Softball past Valley Forge 15-5
Bay Softball broke open a back-and-forth game with a six-run third inning and rolled past Valley Forge 15-5 on Tuesday at Bay Village. After the Patriots had pulled even at 5-5 in the top of the third, the Rockets answered immediately, turning one hit, patience at the plate and a costly Valley Forge error into the decisive surge.
Ella Taulbee set the tone for Bay’s offense from the start. She finished 3-for-3, doubling in the first inning, singling in the second and doubling again in the fourth. In the bottom of the first, Taulbee’s double to right helped the Rockets get on the board. Lucy Corbett later walked, Bay added a run on a passed ball, and Cam Williams lined a run-scoring double to left as the Rockets built an early advantage.
Valley Forge answered in the second. A double by Camille Barroga and a single by Madelynn Clark helped the Patriots erase the deficit and tie the score. Bay regained the lead in the bottom half when Maeve McFarland drew a walk that forced in a run for a 5-4 edge, but Valley Forge matched it again in the third when Barroga grounded out to bring home the tying run.
That set up Bay’s biggest inning. The Rockets sent runners across repeatedly in the bottom of the third, scoring six times to seize control at 11-5. The inning’s biggest play came on an error that brought in two runs. Bay’s disciplined approach was a major factor all game. The Rockets drew 11 walks, with McFarland and Ava Bottone collecting two apiece, and they stayed aggressive on the bases with four stolen bases. Taulbee accounted for two of those steals.
Corbett earned the win in the circle, working five innings and allowing five hits and five runs, three earned. She struck out seven and walked two. Valley Forge starter Leilah Martinez took the loss after allowing 13 runs, nine earned, over 3 1/3 innings. Williams added a second multi-hit effort for Bay, going 2-for-2 at the plate.
Valley Forge got a three-RBI game from Barroga, who finished 1-for-2, and Gracie Kercher went 2-for-3 to lead the Patriots in hits. Both teams were active on the bases, with Valley Forge also stealing four bags. Bay, now coming off an offensive performance sparked by Taulbee’s extra-base hits and the game-turning third inning, is scheduled to play at Rocky River on Wednesday.
