Taft Softball Starting to Rack Up Wins

Game 1 - Shasta College Unable to Overcome Taft's Late-Game Surge

Taft College defeated Shasta college 4-2 on Thursday after taking the lead late in the game. The game was tied at two in the bottom of the sixth when Taina Luhia homered to center field, scoring two runs.

Shasta opened the scoring in the first after Joey Bertain doubled, scoring one run.

Julia Gutierrez grounded out, which helped the Cougars tie the game at one in the bottom of the fourth.

Taft took the lead in the bottom of the fifth. Laie Keahi singled, scoring one run, to give the Cougars the upper hand, 2-1.

Bailey Weibling grounded into a fielder's choice, which helped Shasta College tie the game at two in the top of the sixth.

Ava Heitman earned the win for the Cougars. The right-handed pitcher gave up five hits and two runs (zero earned) over seven innings, striking out three and walking three. Bertain took the loss for Shasta. The hurler went six innings, surrendering four runs (three earned) on nine hits, striking out two and walking three.

Luhia went 1-for-1 at the plate and led the team with two runs batted in. Hadlie Wilson went 4-for-4 at the plate to lead Cougars in hits. Kate Moore collected two hits for the Cougars in four at bats. The Cougars ran wild on the base paths, collecting three stolen bases for the game.

Bertain went 2-for-2 at the plate to lead Shasta in hits. Weibling and Bertain each drove in one run for Shasta.

Game 2 - First-Inning Spurt Leads Cougars Past Shasta College

Taft College defeated Shasta 9-3 on Thursday thanks in part to eight runs in the first inning.  An error scored one run, Hanna Hendricks doubled, scoring one run, Jada Mizner singled, scoring two runs, Kate Moore singled, scoring one run, Hadlie Wilson drew a walk, scoring one run, and Cadence Mizner doubled, scoring two runs.

The Knights opened the scoring in the top of the first thanks to two doubles. Shasta first got on the board when Joey Bertain doubled, scoring one run.

Mizner earned the win for the Cougars. The right-handed pitcher gave up five hits and three runs (one earned) over seven innings, striking out four and walking two. Bertain took the loss for Shasta. The reliever went four and two-thirds innings, giving up one run on four hits, striking out one and walking one. Morgan Bourke opened the game for Shasta. The pitcher surrendered six hits and eight runs (zero earned) over one and one-third innings, striking out none and walking five.

Wilson and Moore were a force together in the lineup, as they each collected two hits for Taft. Mizner and Mizner each drove in two runs for Taft. Hendricks paced the Cougars with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, tallying six walks for the game.

Jordyn Wurzer, Bailey Weibling, and Bertain each drove in one run for Shasta College. Bertain went 2-for-3 at the plate to lead Shasta in hits.

Taft will travel to Oxnard for their next game on Saturday, February 22.

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