Lady Royals Split Doubleheader with Taylor on Friday

The Lady Royals battled through a pair of tightly contested games Friday against Taylor (Ind.), rallying for a dramatic win in the opener before falling in a close nightcap to earn a split on the day.

Johnson 12, Taylor 11 (Game 1)
The opener turned into a back-and-forth slugfest that was decided in the final inning. Taylor jumped ahead with a five-run third inning, but the Lady Royals answered in a big way in the fourth, plating nine runs to seize control of the game.

Kadie Presley led the offensive surge with two doubles and four RBIs, while Adelaide Hubbard collected three hits and drove in two runs. Megan Armstrong and LeighAnn Sanders each contributed RBIs as Johnson capitalized on timely hitting during the decisive fourth inning.

Taylor mounted a late comeback and briefly took the lead in the seventh on a three-run homer, but the Lady Royals responded immediately. Presley delivered an RBI double to tie the game before Armstrong brought home the winning run on a sacrifice fly, sealing the 12–11 victory.

Madisun Pritchard earned the win in relief, closing out the final outs after Lindy Webber started in the circle.

Taylor 3, Johnson 2 (Game 2)
The second game featured a pitcher's duel, with Taylor scoring three runs in the first inning and holding off the Lady Royals the rest of the way.

Johnson chipped away at the deficit, scoring in the second inning and again in the sixth on a solo home run by Dylan Jablonski to pull within one. However, the Lady Royals were unable to complete the comeback, falling 3–2.

Megan Armstrong paced the offense with three hits, while Audrey Moorhouse and Kadie Presley also recorded hits in the contest. Alyssa Nicely went the distance in the circle, allowing three runs while striking out five.