LEWISTON, Idaho- Taylor (Ind.) paired a fast start at the plate with strong bullpen pitching in an 8-5 win over Lewis-Clark State (Idaho) on Monday afternoon at Harris Field, surviving elimination and advancing in the Avista NAIA World Series. 

The Trojans jumped in front quickly in the opening inning when Jordan Malott drove in Ben Kennedy with an RBI single before Brennan Frickel chipped in a sacrifice fly to make it 2-0. Lewis-Clark State answered in the bottom half on Bryce Johnson’s RBI single, but Taylor regained momentum with a decisive third inning.

Taylor sent 11 batters to the plate and scored six runs in the frame to take control of the game. Sam Gladd delivered the biggest hit of the inning with a three-run homer to right-center, extending the lead to 5-1. Later in the inning, Kennedy lined a two-run double, and an additional run scored on a passed ball as the Trojans built an 8-1 advantage.

Lewis-Clark State responded immediately with three runs in the bottom of the third. Ryan Prescott started the rally with an RBI double before Bulla Ephan added an RBI single. Payton Smith later brought home another run on a fielder’s choice, trimming the deficit to 8-4.

The Warriors added one more run in the sixth inning when Izzy Madariaga lifted a sacrifice fly to center field, scoring Brandon Nguyen to make it 8-5.

Taylor’s bullpen handled the rest from there. After starter Nick Crabtree allowed three runs across 2.1 innings, Nathan Frady provided a lift from the bullpen and earned the win after tossing 3.1 innings. Jake Boyer added 1.1 scoreless innings before Gage Gongwer closed the game with two hitless innings to secure the save.

Taylor finished with eight runs on 13 hits and drew six walks. Gladd paced the offense with three RBIs, while Kennedy added two RBIs, two walks, and a double. Malott also collected two hits and an RBI.

Lewis-Clark State totaled 10 hits in the loss, led by multi-hit performances from Brandon Nguyen, Jackson Jaha, and Jackson Reed.

Despite cutting a seven-run deficit down to three, the Warriors were held scoreless over the final three innings as Taylor secured the 8-5 victory at Harris Field. The Trojans return to the diamond on Tuesday at 3 p.m. PT against the loser of the MACU (Okla.) and William Carey game.