Cougars Sweep LA Valley in Run-Rule Doubleheader at TC Softball Field
Taft College opened its home slate in emphatic fashion Tuesday, run-ruling Los Angeles Valley College in both ends of a doubleheader at TC Softball Field. The Cougars took Game 1, 12-0, behind a complete-game shutout from J. Mizener, then backed it up with another 12-run effort in a 12-3 victory in Game 2 to complete the sweep.
Game 1 was effectively decided in the opening frame as Taft erupted for four first-inning runs and never looked back. The early surge was highlighted by a solo home run from K. Moore, setting the tone for an offense that scored in each of the first four innings. The Cougars posted inning totals of four runs in the first, two in the second, four in the third and two more in the fourth to build a 12-0 lead that triggered the run rule after five innings.
Taft's lineup piled up 15 hits in the opener while playing error-free defense. J. Estrada and M. Mott led the hit parade with three hits apiece, with Estrada scoring twice and Mott adding a run-scoring triple as part of a four-run third inning that pushed the margin to 10-0. Moore finished with two runs scored, the home run and two stolen bases, helping the Cougars pressure LA Valley throughout. Taft also showed balance and patience, drawing five walks and swiping six bases.
Mizener handled the rest in the circle, turning in a dominant complete game. The right-hander allowed just four hits over 5.0 innings, striking out seven and not surrendering a run. Backed by a defense that did not commit an error, Mizener kept LA Valley off the board in every inning to close out the 12-0 shutout.
The Cougars' bats stayed hot in Game 2 as Taft again scored in every inning, finishing off a 12-3 win to secure the sweep. Taft inched ahead 1-0 in the first, added two runs in the second and then broke the game open with three more in the third and four in the fourth to build a 10-0 cushion. LA Valley rallied for three runs in the top of the fifth, but Taft answered immediately with two runs in the bottom half to restore the run-rule margin and end the contest.
Power carried the Cougars' offense in the nightcap. Taft collected 16 hits, including four home runs and a triple, and once again applied pressure on the basepaths with six stolen bases. C. Mizener delivered a standout performance at the plate, going 3-for-? with two home runs, two runs scored and three RBIs. K. Comilang added to the long-ball barrage with a home run of her own, finishing with two hits, two runs scored and three RBIs. Moore capped a strong doubleheader by reaching base repeatedly in Game 2 as well, recording three hits, two runs, a double and three stolen bases.
In the circle, M. Mott matched the offensive production with a strong complete-game outing. The right-hander tossed 5.0 innings, allowing just four hits while striking out eight. Of the three runs charged to Mott, only one was earned, as Taft limited LA Valley to a late push in the fifth before closing out the 12-3 final.
With two run-rule victories, a combined 24 runs on 31 hits, and 15 strikeouts from the pitching staff over 10 innings, Taft College established early-season momentum in front of its home crowd. The Cougars paired power hitting with aggressive baserunning and solid pitching in both games, building a blueprint they will look to carry into the rest of the schedule at TC Softball Field and beyond.