Guemarez’s Three-Run Homer Caps Sixth-Inning Rally as Taft Tops Feather River 7-4

TAFT, Calif. — E. Guemarez delivered the biggest swing of the day, blasting a three-run home run to cap a five-run sixth inning as Taft College rallied past Feather River, 7-4, on Jan. 24 at Cougar Field.

Trailing 4-2 into the bottom of the sixth, the Cougars mounted their decisive push by stringing together baserunners and capitalizing on a wild pitch that brought in the first run of the frame. With Taft now within a run and two runners still aboard, Guemarez turned the game around for good, driving a three-run shot that pushed the Cougars in front 7-4. The senior finished with four RBIs on the day, including a run-scoring double as part of Taft's fast start in the first inning.

Taft opened the scoring in the bottom of the first, using quality situational hitting to grab early control. A. Lopez singled and Guemarez followed with a double to set the table. H. Ryan then produced an RBI groundout, and R. Madrigal added another run-scoring groundout, giving the Cougars a 2-0 advantage without the benefit of a hit with runners in scoring position.

Feather River answered with its biggest inning in the third, turning a string of base runners into four runs. C. Obos singled home a run to cut the deficit, and a bases-loaded walk to L. Henderson forced in the tying run. W. DesRosier followed with a two-run single, flipping the score and giving Feather River a 4-2 lead. The visitors finished with 10 hits on the afternoon and left 11 runners on base, getting four hits and a run from N. Anderson, who went 4-for-5 to pace their offense.

On the mound, Taft's staff settled in after the third and kept Feather River off the board the rest of the way. Starter J. Orozco worked 3 1/3 innings, allowing four earned runs on eight hits while striking out five. From there, the Cougars' bullpen handled the final frames, with C. Garven earning the win in relief and S. Montoya closing the door for the save. Taft pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts, limiting damage despite Feather River's steady traffic on the bases.

Feather River's pitching kept the Cougars mostly quiet between the first and sixth innings, as starter J. Hanna turned in a solid outing. Hanna went 5 2/3 innings, allowing five hits and four earned runs with five strikeouts and one walk before giving way during Taft's late rally. Overall, Feather River's staff struck out nine and walked three, but the big swing from Guemarez and the Cougars' opportunistic sixth proved the difference.

Taft finished with seven runs on seven hits, adding three stolen bases and leaving just five runners on base. Guemarez led the way with two hits, two runs scored, a double and a home run to go with his four RBIs. With the comeback win at Cougar Field, the Cougars turned an early deficit into a statement rally, setting a strong tone as they move deeper into the season.