Wartburg’s Taylor Gilson makes major contribution on the mound

CEDAR RAPIDS — Wartburg's Taylor Gilson has subscribed to two ideas that have helped him make major strides.

The Knights junior pitcher has learned to keep things simple and relax, which has resulted in him becoming a leader for the Knights and even the Iowa Conference.

In his first season as a full-time starter, Gilson has posted his best season with an 8-2 record and contributing to Wartburg's regular-season title. The Knights are the top seed for the IIAC baseball tournament, beginning Thursday at Memorial Stadium.

'It's been a pretty incredible season,' Gilson said. 'We're just hoping to go into the conference tournament with the same mind-set of one game at a time. Hopefully, we can win another championship.'

Don't be surprised if Gilson is sprawled out on the Perfect Game Field grass, looking peaceful before competition.

Gilson struggled during his freshman season and suffered a rough relief performance early last year. Wartburg teammate and fellow pitcher, Parker Bolt, helped him with a routine to channel his pregame excitement.

'I just lay on the ground for about five to 10 minutes, visualizing myself on the mound,' Gilson said. 'I let myself cool down (and) heart rate go down, working on some breathing things.

'I carried that into my sophomore year and it really helped me go to the mound with the mind-set that we're as good as anyone. I've continued that this year. It's really worked.'

He has bridged the gap between sport and daily life. The approach has helped him gain a new perspective, applying it to everyday situations.

'Even in other things in life, I just kind of sit there and think about what I need to do,' Gilson said. 'Parker kind of helped me with that. It has been pretty key.'

Gilson has continued the success he started as a sophomore, transitioning from a reliever to a starter and recording a 7-2 mark with a 2.31 earned-run average.

Wartburg Coach Joel Holst said Gilson was his best closer but they were forced to add him to the rotation at the start of the 2015 conference season.

'He's a team guy, willing to help our program win games,' Holst said. 'He's very unselfish.'

Gilson leads the IIAC with 63 strikeouts and is tied with Luther's Nate Beckman for the league lead in wins this year. He owns a 2.98 ERA through 63 1/3 innings pitched.

'He has that ability to throw it by somebody,' Holst said. 'He's also got a good breaking ball and has worked hard on developing a good change up, too. He has three pitches and that is usually pretty important for any starter.'

Gilson also set the school's single-game strikeout record, fanning 15 Cornell batters March 5 and beating the old mark by two. He isn't concerned with personal accomplishments, instead the focus is on the team.

'My goal from day one is to help us get a team championship,' Gilson said. 'We've done it. Now, the next goal is to get a conference tournament championship and we'll go from there.'

Holst praised Gilson for his unselfishness and leadership. Those attributes will be on display during the tournament.

Gilson has enjoyed the switch to starting duties. He could see action in the rotation if needed this weekend, but the Knights may need him more as a reliever with other capable starters like Bolt (6-1, 2.38 ERA), Max Langheinrich (6-1, 2.90) and Tanner Eckhart (3-0, 1.43 ERA).

'I've really enjoyed it and that's what I'm used to, coming from high school as a starter,' said Gilson, who is a former Oelwein prep. 'It's been my role and I've embraced whatever Coach has asked me to do.'

The Knights (31-9, 24-4 overall) face the winner of fourth-seeded Coe and No. 5 Dubuque Thursday at 7 p.m. Wartburg is looking for its first IIAC tournament title since 2013.

'We're just hoping that we can continue to play good baseball,' Holst said. 'It always begins on the mound and the defense that plays behind it. We're hoping we can come up with those key hits when we need.'

Coe and Dubuque will play at 1 p.m. at Daniels Park. Coe is the defending IIAC tournament champion. Third-seeded Luther will face No. 6 Simpson at 1 p.m. at Memorial Stadium, which hosts the remainder of the tournament. Buena Vista is the second seed.

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