Taylor throws Souderton to win over CB West
LOWER SALFORD >> Perfect through three innings and unscored upon through five, Luke Taylor kept Central Bucks West off balance and off the bases.
“For the first three innings, their guy was untouchable,” Bucks coach Brian Weaver said. “He hit all of his spots and we didn’t do a lot against him.”
Said Souderton coach Mike Childs of Taylor: “He is one of our silent leaders on the mound. We have full confidence in him.”
The catalyst of a 10-1 Big Red victory, Taylor allowed just one hit in his five innings of work, striking out seven and walking two with one hit batter.
“I felt like it was a good start for me,” the right hander said after a cold, windy day at the Harleysville Community Center. “My location was a little off but I was glad they were chasing it. My defense backed me up — I got into a couple jams but it was a good start.”
With Taylor in command, Souderton raised its record to 3-1 and is now 1-0 in the Suburban One League Continental Conference. West dropped to 2-3 with a 1-1 mark in the conference.
“He did really well. Luke is our senior pitcher and he helped take the Legion team far over the summer and also did a good for us last year,” Childs said. “He does his job, throws strikes, challenges guys and trusts his fielders behind him. He’s not afraid to throw the ball at guys and see if they can hit it.”
During Taylor’s dominant stretch, Souderton took a 2-0 lead against Bucks starter Gene McGough on RBI doubles by Conlan Wall and Jordan Morales.
There it stayed until the sixth, when the Bucks dented the scoreboard as Tom Comes drew a bases-loaded walk against Big Red reliever Erik Ritchie.
Ritchie beared down, striking out Sam Tierney to keep Souderton’s lead intact.
“In the last three innings, we threatened a couple of times but we just never pushed one across and they found their way out,” said Weaver. “Credit to Mike, having his guys play well in those situations.”
Souderton then loaded the bases in the bottom of the sixth, cracking the game wide open on a grand slam by Jacob Horton. The Indians — with RBI hits from Morales and Hogain Despain — padded their lead with four more runs in the inning.
“We have a sophomore like Horton, put him in the three hole, and he’s nice and calm, relaxed,” Childs said. “He has that mentality that nothing phases him.
“He fouled a couple balls off, was behind them a little bit but pulled his head up. All of a sudden, he got his pitch and hits it over the fence.”
Both teams are in action again Thursday: Souderton hosts CB South and West hosts Pennridge.
