LexCath grad Logan Taylor knocks in 3 runs in Louisville’s NCAA victory
Logan Taylor, a former Lexington Catholic High School standout who is now a senior at the University of Louisville, plays at his best when it matters most.
In 2015, Taylor had two hits, drove in two runs and scored once in both of his NCAA Louisville Regional starts. His performances earned him a spot on the NCAA Louisville Regional All-Tournament Team.
The following weekend, Taylor went 2-for-4 in NCAA Super Regional finale after going 3-for-3 with a home run and three RBI in a Game 2 win.
Taylor put together another spectacular postseason performance on Saturday evening, as he went 1-for-3 at the plate while driving in three runs and scoring two to help the Cardinals defeat Oklahoma 11-1.
For awhile it was a pitching duel between Louisville’s Brandon McKay and Oklahoma’s Jake Irvin. Through five innings, both pitchers gave up a combined four hits and one run.
Taylor first excited the Louisville crowd in the sixth inning when he hit a sacrifice fly to right field, tying the game at 1-1.
It stayed that way going into the eighth inning, but the Cardinals loaded the bases, bringing Taylor back up to the plate with one out.
Taylor delivered again with a two-run single to left-center, giving the Cards the lead for good.
“That’s the kind of at-bat you dream about ever since you’re a little kid,” Taylor said. “I knew it was good off the bat.”
Taylor came around to score off a two-RBI triple from Colby Fitch.
The Cards put up seven runs total in the eighth inning.
“You get some momentum and you get the chance to put up a crooked number, we were just very fortunate,” Louisville Coach Dan McDonnell said. “(Colin) Lyman has the huge hit and run that’s gets us with runners in scoring position and then Logan (Taylor) has the huge bases loaded at-bat.”
Louisville tacked on three more runs in the ninth inning, one of which was Taylor scoring on a single down the right field line from McKay.
When the game was tight, it looked like Louisville was going to need its stud closer Lincoln Henzman, who played his high school ball at Lexington Christian. However, the 10 runs the Cards scored in the final two innings allowed the bullpen to sit comfortable as the Cardinals cruised to their second regional win.
The possibility of a Kentucky and Louisville Super Regional series took a dent Saturday evening, as just 80 miles away the Cats fell to N.C. State 5-4.
The Cards are in a good spot to advance to the super regionals, as they only need to win one more regional game to advance to next weekend.
Meanwhile, the Cats need to win out at their regional tournament to keep their season alive.
Louisville will be back on the diamond at 7 p.m. Sunday to face the winner of the afternoon game between Oklahoma and Xavier.
This story was originally published June 3, 2017 at 11:24 PM with the headline "LexCath grad Logan Taylor knocks in 3 runs in Louisville’s NCAA victory."