While many head to Arizona or Florida for a relaxing break and sunshine, the Taylor baseball team had a different agenda.
The Trojans started their 2026 season with trips to Arizona and Florida, not only soaking up sunshine, but also claiming 10 victories in the first month of the NAIA baseball season.
The team is off to a 10-0 start for the first time in program history.
Taylor opened their season in January with their annual trip to Phoenix. They dominated in their first two games, defeating Corban University 14-0 and Nelson University 22-2.
Their first big test of the season came against No. 15 Arizona Christian. Pitching became the deciding factor, as Taylor's pitching staff held the Firestorm to only 3 hits in a 4-2 victory.
The Trojans ended their time in Arizona with a three-game series against Benedictine Mesa. They put together another offensive masterpiece, winning all three games by at least 10 runs.
The team outscored their opponents 83-10 with 80 hits and 10 home runs.
“There are a lot of teams out there playing a lot of baseball with the way the schedule is,” Taylor Head Coach Kyle Gould said. “It seems weird in Indiana to be playing that early, but everybody else in the NAIA is playing that early… I think the off-the-field stuff is just great for our team, and just helps everybody get connected and get ready for the season.”
Coach Gould explained how the trip to Arizona was a great way for players to grow closer as a team and develop strong relationships with one another.
Freshman infielder Luke McDonald shared how the trip impacted him personally in connecting with the team.
“We can really sit down and just play games and have fun with each other,” he said. “It's really cool just to grow in those relationships with those guys.”
The Trojans then ventured down to Miami, Florida, from Feb. 12-14 for a four-game series against St. Thomas. They took care of business, sweeping the Bobcats.
Gould believes that the four games will help the team grow heading into conference play.
“(St. Thomas was) so talented, and we were in a lot of really tight, competitive games, and every time we needed to make a play, our guys responded,” Gould said. “It's great to be down there on the road, and a tough environment to play. I thought the guys handled it great.”
Senior outfielder Brayden Manning has led the Trojans’ offense, with a batting average of .473 and slugging .738. He has 22 hits on the year, with 7 XBH and 3 HR. He also leads the team with 18 RBIs, including one during Game 3 against St. Thomas, where he knocked in the go-ahead run.
Manning's 9-for-17 performance in Miami led him to be named Crossroads League Player of the Week from Feb. 9-15.
First-year first baseman Jordan Malott has also helped carry the offensive load to start the year. Malott, a senior transfer from Indiana Tech, is hitting .314 at the plate and has 14 RBIs.
The pitching staff has also performed well to start the year. As a whole, they have posted a 1.87 ERA with 101 strikeouts.
Senior pitcher Jake Boyer has come on strong for the Trojans. In four relief appearances, Boyer pitched 13.1 scoreless innings on the mound with 18 strikeouts, allowing 0 walks and only 5 hits.
His performances led him to be named CL Pitcher of the Week twice.
“I knew coming into this season, I knew what my mindset and approach was to the game, and this offseason and this fall, it was really just about sharpening that mindset and making sure that my mind was in the right place going into every game,” Boyer said.
Seniors Brody Fine and Wes Hunt have also been a key part of Trojan pitching rotation. Fine has posted a 1.29 ERA in three starts with 16 Ks, while Hunt sits with a 0.82 ERA and 13 Ks, giving up only 5 hits.
The Trojans finish up their non-conference play against IU Kokomo, which was delayed due to weather (date to be announced). They will kick off CL play against Grace on Friday, Feb. 27, weather allowing, at Winterholter Field.
