Taylor County Varsity Cardinals walked onto the field determined and focused, facing off against a strong Trinity High School team. Spirits were high in the dugout, but the game would prove to be a tough battle.
Trinity wasted no time getting on the board. In the bottom of the first inning, the pressure was on when Zach Floyd stepped up and was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, Grayson Willoughby cracked a clean single that brought in two more runs, giving Trinity an early 3-0 lead and putting Taylor County on the defensive.
Taylor County answered back in the top of the second, managing to trim the lead to 3-2. Grayson Kearney led the charge with a strong showing at the plate, going 2-for-3 with an RBI. The Cardinals were swinging confidently, racking up nine hits in total. Silas Young and pitcher Cole McLean each had two hits, and the dugout came alive with every crack of the bat.
But Trinity kept the pressure on. In the bottom of the second, Colin Sander laid down a textbook sacrifice bunt to extend their lead to 4-2. Harper Haywood added another insurance run in the third with a sharp single to push the score to 5-2.
On the mound, Cole McLean shouldered the weight for Taylor County, pitching a full six innings. It was a gritty outing—six runs on 11 hits, four strikeouts, and four walks—but he kept his composure throughout. Trinity’s offense, led by Floyd, Willoughby, and Jackson Supsky, was relentless. Floyd and Willoughby each drove in two runs, providing just enough cushion to keep Taylor County chasing.
Trinity’s pitching staff did their part to hold the line. Gray Davis, in relief, was lights out. He tossed four and two-thirds innings of shutout baseball, striking out five and allowing just three hits. Hudson Meredith started the game, giving up Taylor County’s only runs in his brief time on the hill.
Though the scoreboard read 6-2 in favor of Trinity when the final out was recorded, the effort from Taylor County was evident. Nine hits, clean defense, and never letting up.
Sometimes the ball doesn’t bounce your way. But if Saturday’s fight proved anything, it’s that the Cardinals have heart—and that always keeps you in the game.
With numerous accolades—including a 20th District Championship, a Fifth Region Championship, and an unforgettable Elite Eight appearance—the team has firmly etched its name into Taylor County history. Their incredible season not only showcased their talent and determination but also filled the community with immense pride.