No. 9 Taylor Caps Opening Weekend with 4-2 Victory Over No. 15 Arizona Christian

GLENDALE, Ariz. – Wes Hunt tied his career high in strikeouts, Gage Gongwer earned the win, and Jake Boyer recorded the save as the trio of senior hurlers combined for a three-hitter to lead No. 9 Taylor past No. 15 Arizona Christian 4-2 on Saturday evening at the Coach Calderone Classic.

The Trojans improved to 3-0 for the first time since 2020 and evened the all-time series with Arizona Christian at 3-3.

Senior Brayden Manning closed the season-opening series by going 8-for-15 (.533) at the plate with seven RBIs. Luke Sutter, Rylee Singleton, Luke MacDonald and Jace Schrock each tallied a base knock in the weekend finale.

Hunt dominated through the first three innings despite issuing four walks. The right-hander didn't allow a hit and struck out a pair of batters in each frame, totaling six punchouts for the third time in his career.

Arizona Christian (2-1) threatened in the fourth inning after a leadoff walk, but Schrock gunned down the steal attempt at second base – the first caught runner for the freshman catcher.

The Trojans broke through in the fifth after leaving a runner on base in three of the first four innings. Singleton drew a leadoff walk before Schrock ripped a ground-rule double to left field. MacDonald pinch hit and was hit by a pitch to load the bases, before Fletcher Roemmich drove in the first run on a fielder's choice, and Schrock scored on a wild pitch to give Taylor a 2-0 advantage.

Taylor extended the lead in the sixth with a two-out rally. Ben Kennedy was hit by a pitch and Singleton singled to left field. Schrock was plunked to load the bases before MacDonald delivered a clutch two-run single to right field for a 4-0 cushion.

Arizona Christian (2-1) answered with two runs after Ryan Vassar led off the bottom of the sixth with a single to left center to end the bid for a no-hitter. A double and single up the middle plated both runners and cut the deficit to 4-2.

Gongwer (1-0) retired the side in order in the fifth and recorded the win after allowing three hits and two runs over three innings. Boyer entered in the seventh and shut the door, retiring nine consecutive batters while striking out five to earn his ninth career save in his second appearance of the weekend.

The Trojans stranded the bases loaded in the eighth after Sam Gladd was hit by a pitch to lead off and Kennedy reached via error off a sac bunt attempt.

Taylor finished with nine total runners left on base as the Trojans totaled five hits, four hit by pitches and drew four walks.

Arizona Christian used seven pitchers in the contest, with starter Tyson Kilbreath allowing one hit over two scoreless innings. Reliever Vincenzo Bruno (0-1) was charged with the loss.

The Trojans return to action next weekend for a three-game series in Arizona against Benedictine University Mesa (3-0). First pitch on Friday is scheduled for 4 p.m. eastern.