Cougars rout Merced in doubleheader split

Anne Procell drove in three runs while Hailee Danneker had two hits and two RBI to lead Taft College to its first victory of the season, a 13-5 rout at Merced College, in the second game of a Central Valley Conference doubleheader on Thursday. Earlier in the day, the Cougars narrowly lost the opener by a score of 6-5.

Taft greeted Merced starting pitcher Hannah Torrez by scoring a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Procell drove in Joseline Chavez with a sacrifice fly and Danneker came in to score on a Merced error.

The Blue Devils tied up the contest with a pair of runs off TC pitcher Gillian Hale in the bottom of the frame and went up 3-2 with a run in the second.

But the Cougars jumped ahead for good with a big six-run rally in the third. Kaylee Beltran smacked an RBI double, Danneker drove in a run with a single, and Chavez' fielder choice forced in another run. A Merced error and a wild pitch allowed three runs to score.

Leading 8-3, Taft poured it on with a five-run, fifth-inning. Danneker (1 RBI) and Procell (2 RBI) hit back-to-back doubles for the knockout blows.

Hale went the distance for the win. She allowed three earned runs and three hits over five innings. Beltran and Chavez both contributed to the win on offense. Beltran went 2 for 3, scored twice and drove in a run while Chavez reached base three times (2 walks, single) and scored three runs with an RBI.

Game 1 started well for the Cougars as they took a 3-0 lead in the second inning. But Merced was able to overcome the deficit and jumped back out in front 6-4 with a three-run, fifth inning.

The Cougars had a chance to take the lead in the sixth. Procell hit a two-out, bases-loaded single to drive in Hale. But Taft couldn't get another clutch hit and left the bases full.

Chavez set the table from the leadoff spot, going 3 for 4 with an RBI. Hale took the loss, tossing 5 1/3 innings. She allowed three runs and five hits.

Taft, now 1-3 overall, returns to action on Tuesday, May 4 when the Cougars host College of the Sequoias in their home opener. The conference doubleheader is set to begin at 1 p.m.