Cole McLean delivered a dominant pitching performance on Tuesday night, striking out 15 batters to lead the Taylor County Varsity Cardinals to a convincing 8-1 win over the 2025 LaRue County Varsity Hawks at North Hardin.
McLean was nearly untouchable over seven innings, allowing just one hit and a single run while walking three. He also made an impact at the plate, launching a solo home run to center field in the third inning to extend Taylor County’s early lead.
Taylor County first broke through in the second, capitalizing on a LaRue County error to go up 1-0. McLean’s homer an inning later made it 2-0 before the Cardinals truly broke the game open in the sixth.
The sixth-inning rally saw Taylor County push across five runs. Reace Vaughn got things started with a run-scoring double, followed by a sacrifice fly from Grayson Kearney. RBI singles from Layken Lyons and Luke Hayes, as well as a bases-loaded walk drawn by JT Johns, capped the explosive frame.
LaRue County’s lone run came early, but they struggled to solve McLean’s rhythm all night. Brady Skaggs managed the Hawks’ only hit, going 1-for-3 at the plate.
Brayden Singleton took the loss for LaRue, pitching two innings and giving up three runs (two earned) on two hits, while striking out three and walking four.
Offensively, Taylor County spread the production around. Lyons led the team with two hits in three at-bats, while Hayes, McLean, Kearney, Johns, Vaughn, and Lyons each drove in a run. Gabe Cole reached base twice via walks, and the team showed impressive patience overall, drawing eight walks in the game.
Taylor County also played a clean game defensively, committing no errors. Hayes anchored the field with 15 chances, helping secure the win behind McLean’s electric outing.
(GameChanger: Dick’s Sporting Goods)