Taylor sets strikeout record

When Lindsay Taylor struck out the first batter in the top of the fifth inning in Kings Park’s 12-0 win over Huntington yesterday, time out was called as her coach and infielders approached a pitcher unaccustomed to in-game meetings in the circle.

“Lindsay’s reaction was like, ‘What are you doing?,’ “ Kings Park coach Kim McGinley said. “Then we told her what happened and she got a big smile and had her moment.”  

Taylor had just amassed the 1,091st strikeout of her five-year career, breaking the Suffolk Country record of 1,090 set by East Hampton’s Jessie Stavola in 2008, according to McGinley.  The mound visit served as a mid-game ceremony of sorts as Taylor was presented with the ball and posed for a picture before the game resumed.

Taylor finished with 15 strikeouts - increasing her total to 1,096 – and allowed one hit and one walk in six shutout innings to improve to 18-1 and lead Kings Park (18-1) to its fourth League V title in her five years.   

Nicole Torlincasi went 2-for-4 with a two-run homer in the sixth inning, Cheyenne Giarraputo went 2-for-3 with three runs scored and Reina Torlincasi went 2-for-3 with two runs scored.

In addition to earning the 86th win of her career, the Syracuse-bound Taylor also went 2-for-3 with a sixth inning solo home run, her sixth of the season.

"She is an amazing athlete and amazing young lady,” McGinley said of Taylor.  “She is two-dimensional, with her bat and in the circle. She cuts that front corner and hits the spot where the pitches are being called.  She has taken us to the next level.”