The NAIA Ball Big Series of the Week is brought to you by Sho-Me League
Miami Gardens,FL– The NAIA Ball Big Series Of The Week heads to Miami Gardens, Florida as two of the perennial powers in the country go at it with the #24 Taylor Trojans looking to get back in the win category, and as #19 St.Thomas looks to improve on an already impressive season so far. Both programs have been staples in Lewiston as Taylor (IN) made their first trip in 2023 while STU had their most recent trip back in 2019.
HISTORY
St.Thomas leads the all-time series over Taylor, these two teams have faced twice so far and St.Thomas has won both games by a one run margin. When these two teams meet up in Miami Gardens, St.Thomas is 1-0 over Taylor. Their most recent matchup was in 2022.
SCHEDULE-all times local
Thursday, February 13th at 6pm
Friday, February 14th at 3pm
Friday, February 14th (DH)
Saturday, February 15th at 1pm
HOW TO WATCH
TEAMS
#19 St.Thomas (FL) (9-2/0-0)- Coach Jorge Perez leads his 19th ranked Bobcats squad in what is now his 16th season in Miami Gardens, and this 2025 squad has started out the season hot as they enter with a 9-2 record and winners of 7 straight. Last weekend the Bobcats were also on their home field as they swept a 4-game series against a talented Bryan (TN) team. On the offensive side of things, the Bobcats look to have a very balanced lineup and are led by senior shortstop Lucas Lopez, who is currently leading the team with a .394 average. Lopez has been a mainstay in the Bobcat lineup through his 4 seasons with the program and the start of 2025 is no different. Right behind him in average is junior right fielder Erick Ballenilla, who comes into the weekend hitting .341 primarily in the 2 spot in this lineup. Those two set the table for the big time power threat at first base in Angelo Piloto. The senior has already driven in 13 runs on the young season and can leave the yard at any moment having hit 11 home runs in each of the last two seasons. On the mound, STU has a two-headed monster in the starting rotation and that all begins with RHP Carlos Polanco. The senior soon should be a name that is known across the country as he has already begun 2025 with standout numbers, holding a 3-0 record in 16 innings and a miniscule 0.56 ERA. Polanco has struck out 22 batters while walking just 6 and is coming off of a 10 strikeout performance last weekend against Bryan (TN). It all starts with him on the mound and the Bobcats will need a repeat performance to set the tone early in this Top 25 matchup. Following up numbers like Polanco can be challenging, but Juan Fernandez has lived up to it. The RHP himself has struck out 20 batters in 15 innings on the year that includes a 9 strikeout performance in the East/West Challenge against #6 LC State. If the Bobcats get another big performance from their duo on the mound, Coach Perez and his team should be set up well to earn a big time series victory.
#24 Taylor (IN) (4-3/0-0)- The Taylor Trojans are coming off of a 4-3 trip out to Arizona that saw them play 5 of their 7 games against national tournament teams from the previous season. Coach Kyle Gould enters his 21st season at the helm in Upland, Indiana and has brought this program to new heights in almost every season. The 7x winner of the Crossroads Conference Coach Of The Year brings yet another talented group down to Florida looking to rebound in a big way early on in the 2025 season. Leading the Trojans on offense is junior outfielder Brayden Manning who comes in with a .364 average while driving in 11 runs on the season. Staying in the outfield for the next two impact bats in the lineup with Luke Pichiotti and Kaleb Kolpien. Picchiotti sits just ahead of Kolpien in batting average with a .348 clip while Kolpien is hitting .345 with both having 8 RBI. They’re extremely excited in Upland about the return of Kolpien, who was the Crossroads Conference Player Of The Year in 2023 after missing a good portion of 2024 with injury. It will start with those three in the lineup as they go up against yet another tough test on the road looking to earn a series victory. On the mound, Taylor also brings a formidable duo starting with RHP Gabel Pentecost. The junior enters the weekend with a 3.60 ERA through two starts along with 12 strikeouts. Pentecost led this pitching staff last season and brings valuable experience back from being an Opening Round host the previous year. Purdue Fort-Wayne transfer Brody Fine has been as advertised to start his career in a Trojan uniform, leading the pitching staff so far with a 2.16 ERA and 12 strikeouts to match Pentecost. Fine is coming off of a stellar performance in a 6-3 victory over #22 OUAZ the previous weekend where he gave up just 1 hit in 5 strong innings and will look to repeat that performance this weekend on the road yet again.
Staff Picks
Conner – St. Thomas
Robby – St. Thomas
Tyler – Taylor (IN)
Taylor – St. Thomas
– Tyson Wallace & Taylor Thomas
