GEORGETOWN – The Taylor High School varsity baseball team began the 4A regional quarterfinals versus Salado High School Thursday, May 18, with a gritty 5-0 shutout in game 1 of the best-of-three series held at East View High School.
Ducks junior starting pitcher Chris Perez was consistent all game for Taylor as he threw a complete-game shutout on 102 pitches, with a whopping 11 strikeouts, three walks issued and just two hits allowed on the night.
After a scoreless first two innings between the Ducks and Eagles, the Taylor offense got a major spark.
Hitting from the No. 9 spot in the order with two outs, senior outfielder Conner Barcuch smacked the first pitch he saw over the left field fence for a solo home run to give Taylor an early 1-0 lead as he was swarmed by his ecstatic teammates after crossing home plate.
This was the first of four hits in a row by the Ducks’ offense in the top of the third frame as senior shortstop Dominick Hartman hit a double off the base of the left-field wall, while sophomore catcher Nick Treuter promptly hit an RBI single to score Hartman and give Taylor a 2-0 lead. Senior designated hitter Cohen Tyree also had a single, but senior pinch runner Conner Cobb was left stranded on base.
The Eagles were able to get their offense going with a leadoff single in the bottom of the fourth inning, but were quickly turned away thanks to great defense by the Ducks.
On a sharp ground ball hit to junior third baseman Aiden Aguero, he was able to make the scoop and promptly fired it over to sophomore second baseman Mario Aguero. He made the quick transition and threw to junior first baseman Braydan Alderete to turn a much-needed double play to keep the score at 2-0.
With Perez continuing to cruise on the mound with his brilliant pitching throughout the evening, the Ducks didn’t strike again at the plate until the top of the sixth inning and provided more insurance on offense.
Taylor put together yet another two-out rally as Alderete drew a walk and senior outfielder Jake Jansky ripped a single past the Salado third baseman.
Mario Aguero came to the plate batting from the No. 8 spot and delivered for the Ducks with a timely RBI single to give Taylor a 3-0 lead.
Despite a valiant effort by Salado starting pitcher Logan Flores, his night was done after throwing 95 pitches with 11 strikeouts and three runs allowed. In the top of the seventh, the Ducks were able to jump on some shaky relief pitching by the Eagles as both Hartman and Treuter were hit by pitches to start the frame. After Hartman and Cobb both advanced into scoring position on a wild pitch, Tyree hit a sacrifice fly and Perez hit an RBI double to increase the lead to 5-0.
That was all the offense Perez needed as he finished the job on the mound in the bottom of the seventh frame by striking out two of the final three Eagle hitters to secure the shutout victory.
Barcuch got the Taylor offense going in the third inning with his clutch home run and also had a single later in the game, while Jansky also had two singles of his own in the 5-0 win.
Taylor improved its overall record to 28-3-1 during the 2023 season under head coach Justin Adams. The start of game 2 Friday, and a potential game 3 afterward, were scheduled to start after press time.
Look for recap of the series in next week’s edition of the Taylor Press.
