Taft edged in season opener, drop doubleheader at Antelope Valley

After a cancelled game and two postponements, the 2021 Taft College softball season finally got underway. But it wasn't the start head coach Gabrielle Brixey was likely hoping for. The Cougars couldn't hold a late lead and fell 6-5 in the opening game of a doubleheader at Antelope Valley College. Shortly after, TC suffered through a 16-2 defeat in Game 2.

Freshman Anne Procell had a huge collegiate debut for the Cougars. She went a combined 3 for 5 from the plate with a pair of extra base hits, 2 RBI, and a walk. With Taft trailing 3-2 in Game 1, Procell smacked a clutch two-out, two-run double to give the Cougars a 5-3 advantage in the top of the fifth inning. This came after she launched a solo home run to lead of the second inning.

But Antelope Valley strung together three hits and took advantage of a TC error to score three runs in the bottom of the seventh off pitcher Gillian Hale for the walk-off win.

Hale went the distance, allowing five earned runs and 11 hits while striking out five.

From the batter's box, Arianna Forthman went 2 for 4 with an RBI while Joseline Chavez, Hailee Danneker, and Kiley Lyons all hit doubles.

Game 2 was all Antelope Valley as the Marauders jumped on TC starting pitcher Kaylee Beltran for 15 runs over 2 1/3 innings. AVC put up three runs in the bottom of the first and broke the game open with a seven-run, second-inning.

Taft actually scored first, jumping out to an early 2-0 lead after the top of the first. Chavez led off the game by reaching second base on an error and eventually came home to score on another Antelope Valley error. After a single by Procell, Hannah Smith hit an RBI-double for the second TC run.

Taft won't have much time to dwell on the losses as the Cougars return to action on Thursday (April 22) when they travel to Merced College for a doubleheader to open Central Valley Conference play. Game 1 in set for a 1 p.m. first pitch.