Consider Nathan Taylor’s comeback a complete success.
In his second start this season, Taylor fired a two-hitter over five innings and struck out 10 as the Parklane Academy Pioneers blanked the Brookhaven Academy Cougars 10-0 in non-district baseball action Thursday night at Parklane Academy.
It was just the second start for Taylor since the left-hander suffered a dislocated non-throwing shoulder last July.
The season-ending injury occurred during a tournament game at Auburn University in July when, following a passed ball, Taylor fielded a low throw from the catcher and landed on his right shoulder while trying to tag a runner coming home.
Taylor underwent surgery a month after the mishap.
On Thursday night, Taylor showed no signs of the injury. His fastball topped out in the mid-80s. He went to a three-ball count on only two batters and had Brookhaven Academy hitters swinging late throughout the game.
Taylor was relieved in the sixth by twin brother Jordan Taylor.
The right-handed Jordan, featuring an arsenal of offspeed pitches, retired the Cougars in order in the sixth.
“Obviously, they both did great jobs,” Parklane manager Michael Clements said. “We look to our pitchers to set the tone of the game. They both did that tonight.”
The Pioneers (2-3) gave Nathan Taylor plenty of early support. Zach Smith belted a three-run homer over the left-center field wall to cap a four-run first inning for Parklane.
In the second inning, Brandon Austin walked with one out, advanced to second on Ben Kavanay’s sacrifice bunt.
After a wild pitch sent Austin to third and walks to Wes Gill and Austin Terrell loaded the bases, Chance Schmidt laced a single to right-center field that scored Austin and Gill for a 6-0 lead.
Terrell came home on Shelby Johnson’s single to left for a 7-0 advantage.
Parklane capped the scoring with a three-run sixth inning that halted the game via the 10-run mercy rule.
Jordan Taylor walked to open the frame. Courtesy runner Bryce Bean went to third on Austin’s single and scored when Gill’s grounder to first base was misplayed. Austin and Gill both scored on Terrell’s double that dropped just inside the left-field foul line.
