PLAINVILLE >> Grand slams from starting pitcher Cate Larson and catcher Aniyah Bailey steered Taunton to a 10-1 Hockomock League softball victory over King Philip.

Taunton improved to 17-0 with the victory and swept the season series against the Warriors who fall to 15-3. It also came off of the heels of the team’s 7-4 victory over LaSalle Academy (RI) earlier in the week.

Tigers head coach Michelle Raposo credited her team’s ability to make contact and force opponents to make plays as a key to victory.

“We put the ball in play and good things happen,” Raposo said. “We put the bat on the ball and make them work defensively. That’s our goal and our mentality against every team.”

Larson and Warriors pitcher McCoy Walsh got off to quick starts and didn’t allow any runs through the first two innings. Larson noted that she was feeling her stuff early.

“I just really focused on hitting my spots,” Larson said. “I try to get something spinning in, spinning out and then mix some off-speed. Today was a different approach than last game and that will continue.”

The Tigers attack started quick in the third when Victoria Corrao led off with a single and Mia Torres bunted her over to second and beat the throw to first. Back-to-back walks to Bella Bourque and Bailey gave the Tigers a 1-0 lead and set up Larson to break the game open.

“I view hitting from a pitcher’s standpoint,” Larson said. “I think about what pitch I am getting next and how she is throwing it. I got an outside pitch and just went with it.”

Larson drove the ball over the right field fence to give the Tigers a comfortable 5-0 lead. The Warriors would score an unearned run in the bottom of the inning to make it 5-1 but that would be the last true threat they put up.

Bailey would fly out during her next at-bat in the fourth and proceeded to take several swings off the tee in the next few innings. Her next at-bat would come in a bases-loaded situation.

“I just wanted to correct my mistakes,” Bailey said. “I just wanted to make solid contact and help my team score.”

She then launched the ball way over the left field fence to give the Tigers a 9-1 lead. Raposo applauded the clutch hitting and the battles from previous hitters to set the table.

“Two grand slams tonight which was obviously the difference maker for us tonight but it was also about those other girls getting on base,” Raposo said. “Having that ability for those girls to get up in those situations is huge.”

Gracie Oliveira drove in the final Tigers run and Larson shut the door the rest of the way. She and Bailey produced 10 strikeouts on defense and drove in nine of the team’s 10 runs.

“It’s a great feeling,” Bailey said. “I like working with Cate behind the plate and she is a great hitter too.”