Six Home Runs Power No. 9 Taylor Past Corban in Season Opener, 14-0

PHOENIX, Ariz. – Six home runs over the final three innings carried No. 9 Taylor to a dominant 14-0 victory over Corban in Thursday's season opener at the Coach Calderone Classic, hosted at Cortez High School.

The Trojans (1-0) built an early 2-0 advantage in the third inning, which proved more than sufficient as starter Brody Fine and relievers Jake Boyer and Luke Klunke combined for a six-hit shutout. Fine recorded six strikeouts without issuing a walk across five innings, scattering five hits to earn his first win of the season.

Brayden Manning picked up where he left off after a stellar junior campaign, pacing the Trojans' potent lineup by going 3-for-4 with two home runs, a double and a career-high-tying five RBIs. The performance marked Manning's fourth career multi-homer game.

Transfer Jordan Malott and freshman Jace Schrock each homered in their Taylor debuts, while Sam Gladd and Rylee Singleton also connected. Malott, Singleton, Luke Sutter and Ben Kennedy each tallied two hits as the Trojans racked up 14 knocks during the offensive outburst. Nate Simpson scored a team-high three runs while reaching base on a single and two walks.

Malott went back-to-back with Manning in the fifth inning to push the advantage to 4-0.

Then, Singleton delivered a two-run blast in the sixth before Manning added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead to 7-0 entering the final frame.

Gladd opened the seventh with a solo shot to right-center, igniting a seven-run inning that put the game out of reach. Schrock followed four batters later with a three-run blast over the center field fence for his first collegiate home run. Manning capped the scoring with a three-run shot of his own.

Corban (0-1) got two hits from center fielder Chase Elliott, who also stole two bases and was the only runner to advance past second after swiping third with two outs in the third inning. Warriors starter Jack Kovanen absorbed the loss despite surrendering just one earned run on four hits and three walks across four innings.

The ninth-ranked Trojans return to action Friday for Game 2 of the Coach Calderone Classic against Nelson (AZ) with first pitch scheduled for 5 p.m. ET at Arizona Christian University. Taylor closes the opening weekend with a ranked matchup against No. 15 ACU on Saturday evening.