In a thrilling finish on Thursday night, the Taylor County Cardinals clinched a dramatic 7-6 walk-off win over the Sayre Spartans. With the game knotted at six in the bottom of the seventh inning, Layken Lyons stepped up and delivered the decisive blow — a single to left field that brought in the winning run.
The Cardinals wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, capitalizing on a pair of early walks in the first inning. Gabe Cole earned an RBI by drawing a bases-loaded walk to give Taylor County the initial lead.
Lyons continued to contribute offensively in the second inning, sending a single to the right side of the infield to add another run for Taylor County, pushing the lead to 2-0.
However, Sayre roared back in the top of the third, erupting for five runs on four hits. Robbie Jenkins delivered the biggest hit of the inning — a two-run single — to cap off the Spartans’ surge and flip the momentum, giving them a 5-3 edge.
The game stayed tight from that point, and the Cardinals found their rhythm again in the bottom of the seventh. Grayson Kearney got the rally going with an RBI single to the left side, tying the game. Moments later, Lyons sealed the comeback with his second RBI of the game, giving the Cardinals a thrilling walk-off win.
On the mound, Gabe Cole earned the win for Taylor County, throwing four and one-third innings and giving up just one run on four hits. He struck out two and walked one. Starter Cole McLean was sharp in his outing, tossing two and one-third shutout innings with four strikeouts and no walks. JT Johns also contributed in relief.
For Sayre, Camden Stout took the loss, pitching two-thirds of an inning and allowing two runs on three hits. Starter Owen Murphy surrendered three runs (two earned) on two hits over one inning, striking out two and walking five.
Offensively, the Cardinals racked up 11 hits. Kearney, Reace Vaughn, Austin Garrett, and Lyons each recorded two hits. Silas Young drove in two runs and went 1-for-3 at the plate. Taylor County also showed patience, drawing seven walks — with Cole and Kearney each drawing two. Kearney also made his mark on the basepaths, stealing two bases.
Sayre’s offense was just as potent, collecting nine hits. Blake Miniard led the Spartans, going 3-for-3 from the seventh spot in the lineup. Jenkins contributed two RBIs, and Charlie Slabaugh added a pair of hits in three at-bats. Gary Gibson swiped two bases for the Spartans.
It was a complete team effort by Taylor County, who showed grit and poise under pressure to come out on top in this hard-fought matchup.