No. 1 Taylor Sets Program Win Record in 12-2 CL Tournament Victory over No. 22 Huntington

Crossroads League Championships Central

SPRING ARBOR, Mich. — For the fourth time in five seasons, Taylor baseball is heading to the Crossroads League championship game.

No. 1 TU posted its program-record 48th win Saturday, defeating No. 22 Huntington 12-2 in the CL semifinal matchup at Burbridge Field. TU ran its winning streak to six games and recorded its 16th win in 20 CL Tournament contests.

Lane Lewis turned in a quality outing, working five innings and limiting Huntington to two hits and no runs while striking out a season-high five batters. The sophomore right-hander improved to 4-0 in nine appearances this season.

TU broke through in the second inning, drawing first blood for the first time in the tournament with three extra-base hits in the frame. Nate Simpson drew a leadoff walk, and Ben Kennedy and Sam Gladd laced back-to-back run-scoring doubles to push TU in front 2-0.

Brayden Manning stayed hot at the plate, capping the frame with a three-run home run to left field — his 12th of the season, tying a career best — finishing 2-for-3 and extending his hitting streak to 11 games. Manning moved to 292 career hits and 39 career home runs with the performance.

In the third, Brennan Frickel closed the top of the inning with a diving catch at second base, then led off the bottom half and homered to left center on the first pitch, pushing the lead to 6-0.

Simpson scored on a wild pitch to make it 7-0, before TU extended its advantage to 11-0 in the fourth. Kennedy lined a two-run single up the middle and Rylee Singleton worked a bases-loaded walk. Fletcher Roemmich bounced back with a three-hit effort after his on-base streak ended at 61 consecutive games. The senior added an RBI single in the sixth for the Trojans' final run.

The Trojans finished with 12 hits, drew seven walks and committed no errors. Kennedy went 2-for-4 with three RBIs and his 15th double of the season. Luke Sutter reached base safely to push his on-base streak to 24 consecutive games.

Huntington (39-12) scored twice in the seventh on a solo home run by Cam Clarkson and run-producing single by RJ Anglin. HU starter Grant Simmons, who entered 6-0, lasted two innings and suffered his first loss of the season. The Foresters were limited to their lowest hit total in nine games.

TU (48-4) advances to Monday's Crossroads League championship game. First pitch is scheduled for noon in Spring Arbor.