Trojans Cruise to Big Series Win Versus RV Bobcats

MIAMI GARDENS, Fla. – Dubbed the NAIA Ball Big Series of the Week, the 19th-ranked Taylor baseball team (7-4) used early offense Saturday afternoon to cruise to a series win at RV St. Thomas (10-5) with a 9-6 victory.

The win has the Trojans returning to Upland, Indiana, with seven nonconference victories – a figure that already matches its 2024 nonconference output during the regular season.

TU posted a crooked number in the first inning with four runs following Mason David's leadoff single. An error aided Taylor's efforts, which later set up Rylee Singleton and Fletcher Roemmich for bases-loaded at-bats. Both hitters came through with two-run singles to hand the Purple and Grey a 4-0 advantage.

Ahead 4-1 in the fourth frame, David sparked another multi-run inning with a base hit. Kaleb Kolpien, Sam Gladd and Luke Picchiotti each singled as well in the frame, putting the Trojans up by five, 6-1.

Though the Bobcats got two runs back in the bottom of the fourth, Kolpien homered to the opposite field to lead off the sixth inning, and Taylor rallied with two outs in the frame to push across runs on Luke Sutter's single and Ryan Sommer's hit-by-pitch.

That sixth inning gave the Trojans a 9-3 edge, which was more than enough room for the pitching staff to work with and close out the series.

On the mound, Taylor used six different arms to piece together the last of its four-game set.

Alec Hershberger got the start and struck out four in two-plus innings, and Conner Miller (4-0) earned the win as he effectively put an end to STU's threat in the third frame.

Nathan Frady worked in a bulk relief role through the middle innings, with the sophomore racking up three strikeouts in an efficient 3.1 innings of work.

Jake Boyer entered the game in the bottom of the eighth with the on-deck batter representing the tying run, and he collected three strikeouts in 1.1 innings for his first save of the season.

Four Trojans – David, Kolpien, Picchiotti and Roemmich – notched multi-hit performances Saturday, as the lineup outscored the Bobcats 29-19 in the series.

No. 19 Taylor is scheduled to host Madonna (5-1) on Friday for its home opener. Stay tuned to TaylorTrojans.com for all schedule-related updates.