Pentecost Fans Nine, David Sparks Offense in Win Over RV St. Thomas

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Gabel Pentecost struck out nine Bobcats in five innings, and the Trojan lineup produced a season-high 16 hits in a 10-4 win for No. 19 Taylor (5-3) over RV St. Thomas (9-3) during Thursday's series opener.

Mason David got the ballgame started the right way for Taylor with a double, and he scored one batter later on a single chopped through the infield by Kaleb Kolpien.

STU put an unearned run on the scoreboard in the bottom of the first inning to make it 1-1, where the score would remain until the third frame.

David's spot was due up to open that third inning, and he turned on a 1-2 pitch, sending it over the left field wall for a go-ahead homer. Five singles ensued in the inning, with Luke Picchiotti and Luke Sutter notching run-scoring hits to push TU's advantage to 5-1.

Meanwhile, Pentecost (2-1) was in complete control on the mound. The junior struck out the side in the fourth inning as he completed five frames, allowing just three hits and no earned runs.

Jake Boyer picked up where Pentecost left off in the sixth inning, pitching two scoreless innings to keep the Bobcats' lineup to a single run through seven frames.

Sam Gladd had provided insurance by that point with a two-run blast pulled to right field in the top of the seventh, and pinch hitter Nate Simpson added to the lead with a sharp two-run single in the eighth – making for his first two RBIs in a Trojan uniform.

STU plated three quick runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to draw closer at 9-4, but Conner Miller killed the host's momentum by retiring six of the seven batters he faced to close the game.

Sutter delivered the Trojans' 10th run with an RBI single in the ninth as part of a three-hit, three-RBI day for the sophomore.

Gladd also recorded three hits, while David, Brayden Manning and Ben Kennedy each had two base knocks.

Taylor also played well in the field, highlighted by inning-ending plays in the seventh and eighth innings. Middle infielders Brennan Frickel and Kennedy showed off their gloves and their arms to record those third outs, respectively.

No. 19 TU continues its four-game series at RV St. Thomas with a doubleheader Friday beginning at 3 p.m.