Taylor hits grand slam in 10-5 victory as Mainland goes yard four times
OCEAN CITY – The Mainland Mustangs hit four home runs in last week’s game against Ocean City, but it wasn’t enough to overcome the Raiders, powered by Evan Taylor’s bases-loaded grand slam.
After narrowly beating the Mustangs 4-3 in their first contest April 6, the Raiders came out on top again in the long-delayed second game April 24. After holding off a Mainland comeback, Ocean City won 10-5 on their home field.
Taylor blew the game wide open in the bottom of the second inning. The star junior came up to bat in a tie game with the bases loaded.
He reached a full count in the at-bat, but on the next pitch sent the ball flying just over the right field fence. It was Taylor’s second home run of the year; his first also came against the rival Mustangs in the season opener.
“Evan loves to be in the big moment and he is the first guy I think of in those moments,” Ocean City head coach Andrew Bristol said. “We always said that the best place to put Evan in the lineup is at the two hole because he maybe could see an extra at-bat a game. I think if he is at the two spot they must pitch to him more and that was evident today.”
Taylor wasn’t the only one with a big bat.
Mainland’s offense was fueled exclusively by home runs. The Mustangs launched four homers in the game including two by senior Ethan Mitnick.
Mitnick got the Mustangs on the board first with a solo home run in the top of the first inning. He was down 0-2 in the count but fought through the at-bat to get to a full 3-2 count. Mitnick connected and sent it over the fence.
Raider Matt Pashley tied the game in the bottom of the first with an RBI single that brought Taylor home from second base.
The Mustangs found themselves in a jam the next inning. Kameron Street hit a leadoff single for the Raiders and Cole Laursen and Dan Leiser walked to load the bases. That’s when Taylor cleared the bases and Ocean City took a 5-1 lead.
Mainland’s early jam continued as the Raiders loaded the bases again in their next time up to bat. Ocean City’s winning pitcher, Travis Large, who recorded 11 strikeouts on the mound, helped on offense with a leadoff single. Two Raiders were hit by pitches which gave Taylor another at-bat with the bases loaded.
An error in the field led to Taylor being safe at first and brought home another two runs for the Raiders, giving them a 7-1 lead.
In his four at-bats, Taylor came up with the bases loaded three times.
“My teammates did a great job of getting on base to get me in that position,” Taylor said.
Down by six runs, the Mustangs did not flinch. They turned the game into a home run derby.
A solo homer by Jack Haines put life back into the Mainland dugout heading into the fourth inning.
Brady Arena drew a leadoff walk for Mainland’s fourth base runner in the game. With two outs, Mitnick came up to bat looking to cut into the Raider lead. On the first pitch he sent another baseball over the fence for a two-run home run.
The Raider lead was cut again on the very next batter as Cohen Cook slammed a solo home run. Cook’s homer brought the Mustangs within arm’s reach. Mainland had scored four unanswered runs to bring the score to 7-5.
The Mustangs were finding some success against the aggressive Raider pitcher.
Throughout his nearly five innings of work, Large did not shy away from the strike zone. He struck out 11 Mustangs and only walked two batters. Large said he focused on “throwing hard in the zone” to earn his 11 strikeouts.
“Every team of mine needs a bulldog on the mound,” Bristol said. “Travis is that bulldog and he went out there and bulldogged his way to 11 strikeouts. “Mainland is a great hitting team. You are not going to keep them down, especially Mitnick. Travis did what he had to do to keep us in that game and he was great today.”
After Mainland’s back-to-back homers, Nolan Boushard took over for Large and delivered a strong two innings to close the game. The junior pitcher did not give up a base hit and only walked one batter to maintain the Raider lead.
In his fourth and final at-bat with the bases loaded, Taylor drew a walk, bringing in a run and extending the lead to 8-5. Large scored off a Jackson Gayeski single and Pashley scored after colliding with Mainland catcher Brady Arena in a play at the plate.
Ocean City picked up two more wins against Atlantic Tech and Lenape High School to improve their record to 8-3 this season. Their next games are all on the road against solid teams.
The Raiders will travel to Lower Cape May Regional High School on May 2 before heading to Pennsville High School May 4. Ocean City’s next home game is against Egg Harbor Township High School on May 7. Game time is 4 p.m.
Mainland finished off its week with a 5-1 win over Rumson-Fair Haven High School. The Mustangs improved their record to 8-2 on the season with the only two losses coming to Ocean City.
A tough schedule awaits the Mustangs as they will travel to Cedar Creek High School to take on the 13-1 Pirates on May 2. The next day Mainland will host Atlantic City High School at 4 p.m. Finally, they will play a two-game series against powerhouse St. Augustine Prep (10-2) starting on May 6.
– STORY by WILLIAM TRUITT/Special to the Sentinel
– PHOTOS by DAVID NAHAN/Sentinel staff
