The Kokomo Post Sports - Game of the Week: Taylor VS Western Baseball (Photo Gallery)
Senior Night is always special, and Western made it even more memorable with a dominant 14-2 win over Taylor on Thursday.
Senior AJ Helmberger set the tone early for the Panthers, cruising through the first inning by facing just four batters and striking out the final two.
Taylor’s Charles Newby got the start for the Titans and worked a clean bottom of the first. Leadoff hitter Kyler Norman was picked off attempting to steal second, and the next two batters were retired.
The Panthers opened the scoring in the bottom of the second when Gavin Denton launched his second home run of the season — a no-doubter to left field.
From there, Western took control. The Panthers played clean defense while Taylor struggled to find any rhythm at the plate, thanks in large part to Helmberger’s command on the mound.
The floodgates opened in the third inning. Western batted around twice and erupted for 13 runs, collecting seven hits and drawing six walks during the outburst.
Newby was pulled after 2 1/3 innings, allowing six hits, 13 runs and five walks. Chasteen came on in relief and gave up one run and one hit after walking the first batter he faced.
Both teams were held scoreless in the fourth inning despite recording base hits.
Taylor got on the board in the fifth after Western turned to reliever Brady Comer. Helmberger’s final line: four innings, two hits, no runs, seven strikeouts and two walks.
Zayden Lorenz scored from third on a groundout by Charles Newby, and Chasteen followed by stealing home for Taylor’s second and final run.
Western is back in action Saturday, May 10, on the road at Frankfort with first pitch set for 10 a.m. Taylor also plays Saturday, visiting Maconaquah for a 10 a.m. start.
