TU Baseball Retains No. 18 Rating in Latest Poll

2023-24 NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top 25 - No. 3 (April 10)

KANSAS CITY, Mo. – Following a 6-2 road trip that contained the final weekend in March and the first weekend in April, 18th-ranked Taylor (27-11, 20-4 CL) stayed put at No. 18 in the latest NAIA Baseball Coaches' Top-25 Rating, released April 10.

Patience at the plate has been the Trojans' calling card this season, as they rank fifth nationally with 213 total walks drawn. Taylor's all-time walks leader, Camden Knepp, has often set the table for TU with his 34 bases on balls, a figure that is sixth in the NAIA. The lineup also ranks 25th in total doubles hit, paced by Mason David's 15 two-baggers.

On the pitching side, a staff led by the strong arms of Nick Crabtree and Gabel Pentecost among others sits at 20th nationally with a 1.39 WHIP, and it is tied for 23rd in total strikeouts with 310.

One other Crossroads League team was included in the Top-25 Rating, as Indiana Wesleyan (25-9, 19-5 CL), whom the Trojans are scheduled to host on Friday and Saturday, reclaimed its status as receiving votes.

The two teams both carry winning streaks heading into the doubleheader on April 12, with No. 18 Taylor having won five straight games and RV Indiana Wesleyan on a seven-game heater. First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 3 p.m. at Winterholter Field.