Adair County, KY – It was a dominant day for Taylor County baseball and softball, as the Cardinals and Lady Cardinals both shut out their opponents behind standout performances from the mound and timely offense.
McLean’s 15-Strikeout Gem Fuels 8-0 Win Over Marion County
Cole McLean was nearly untouchable Monday night, striking out 15 and allowing just one hit in a seven-inning complete game shutout to lead the Taylor County Cardinals past the Marion County Knights, 8-0.
McLean’s command kept Marion County off balance all night, working around five walks and overpowering hitters with efficiency and poise.
While the right-hander was cruising on the mound, the Cardinal offense exploded late. A scoreless game turned into a rout in the sixth, when Taylor County erupted for eight runs. JT Johns and Austin Garrett drew bases-loaded walks to push across the first two runs. Reace Vaughn and Grayson Kearney added RBI singles, and Layken Lyons delivered the biggest blow of the inning with a three-run double. A wild pitch brought in the final run of the frame.
Vaughn and Luke Hayes led Taylor County with two hits apiece, while Lyons’ double helped him lead the team with three RBIs. Garrett showed discipline at the plate, drawing two of the team’s six total walks.
Defensively, the Cardinals were flawless, not committing a single error. Hayes anchored the infield with 15 defensive chances.
Xavier Hayden had the lone hit for Marion County, who was stymied by McLean’s dominant outing.
French’s Long Ball, Hunt’s Shutout Power Lady Cards Past Adair County
On the softball diamond, the Taylor County Lady Cardinals took care of business in commanding fashion, shutting out Adair County 9-0 behind the powerful arm of Maddie Hunt and a balanced offensive attack.
Hunt scattered 11 hits across seven innings without allowing a run, striking out four and walking none in a wire-to-wire shutout.
The offense got going early. In the first inning, Raegan Cundiff and Nevaeh Kays each delivered run-scoring singles, while Lylah Curry added a sacrifice fly to make it 4-0.
The big swing came in the third inning, when Ayden French launched a three-run homer to left, extending the lead to 7-0 and putting the game firmly out of reach.
Taylor County tallied 12 hits in total. French and Kays each drove in three runs and recorded multi-hit performances, along with Cundiff and Briley Edwards. The Lady Cards were sound defensively as well, turning a double play and making all the routine plays.
Both teams have punched their ticket to the finals of the 20th District Tournament! The Lady Cards will take on the Marion County Lady Knights! The Cardinals will take on the winner of Adair County vs Campbellsville!
(GameChanger: Dick’s Sporting Goods)