Taylor Sweeps CL Weekly Baseball Awards

CL Athletes of the Week Feb. 9-Feb. 15 | TU Honors Page

JACKSON, Mich. – Brayden Manning and Jake Boyer were named the Crossroads League Player and Pitcher of the Week, the league office announced Monday. The Trojan duo swept the weekly awards after helping No. 9 Taylor (10-0) polish off a four-game road sweep at RV St. Thomas to remain unbeaten.

Manning, a senior from Lakeville, Minnesota, finished the week going 9 for 17 (.529) with seven RBIs. In the Game 3 series clincher, Manning delivered the game-tying, three-run homer plus the go-ahead RBI single in his final two at-bats. Manning has hit safely in every game this season, raising his batting average to .478 with an outstanding 1.302 OPS. Additionally, he's notched multiple hits in four straight appearances, and in eight of the first 10 contests. The weekly accolade is the third of Manning's career after earning CL Player of the Week recognition twice last season.

Boyer, a senior from Fort Wayne, Indiana, extended his scoreless streak to 13.1 consecutive innings to start the season following his relief outing in Game 1 at St. Thomas. The right-hander struck out a season-high eight batters and scattered four hits across four frames. Boyer retired eight of the final 10 batters he faced to notch his second save of the campaign. It's the second staight CL Pitcher of the Week nod for Boyer, and the third of his career.

TU will open a six-game homestand with upcoming matchups against Madonna (Feb. 19-20-21), IU Kokomo (Feb. 24) and Grace (Feb. 26 DH). Thursday's home opener against Madonna is scheduled for a 2 p.m. first pitch at Winterholter Field. The Trojans and Crusaders are scheduled to play at 1 p.m. on both Friday and Saturday.