Taft sweeps San Bernardino Valley in doubleheader behind big innings, strong arms
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – Taft College used a pair of explosive offensive performances and quality starting pitching to sweep a road doubleheader from San Bernardino Valley on Friday, taking Game 1, 11-2, and Game 2, 10-2, at the Softball Complex.
The Cougars seized control of the opener with a decisive seven-run third inning and never looked back. Locked in a 1-1 game after the first, Taft sent a string of hitters to the plate in the third, with Jaycee Edgar delivering the biggest blow – a two-run single – as the Cougars capitalized on multiple hits and a San Bernardino Valley defensive miscue to build an 8-1 advantage. Taft added insurance with a run in the fifth and two more in the sixth to secure the run-rule victory in six innings.
Right-hander Jada Mizener provided a steady presence in the circle for Taft in Game 1, throwing a complete-game 6.0 innings while allowing two runs on six hits. Mizener struck out two and walked two, limiting hard contact and stranding runners as San Bernardino Valley managed single runs in the first and fifth innings. The host Wolverines scored first on an unearned run via a groundout in the opening frame, then scratched across another on an RBI double by A. Henriquez in the fifth, but Mizener and the Cougars' defense prevented any extended rallies.
Taft's lineup supported that effort with 10 hits in the opener, including four doubles, while also taking advantage of three San Bernardino Valley errors. Edgar finished 2-for-4 with two RBI as a key part of the third-inning surge. Keona Comilang added a strong performance at the plate, going 2-for-4 with two RBI, including an RBI double in the fifth that pushed the lead to 9-1. Katelynn Moore sparked the top of the order by reaching base three times, going 2-for-3, scoring twice and being hit by a pitch. Jasmine Estrada opened the scoring with a sacrifice fly in the first inning to drive in Moore for a 1-0 lead before San Bernardino Valley briefly pulled even.
Defensively, the Cougars were sharp behind Mizener, committing just one error while leaving six San Bernardino Valley runners on base. Taft's pressure on the basepaths and ability to extend innings forced the Wolverines into tough situations, contributing to the three errors that helped fuel the Cougars' crooked numbers in the third and sixth innings.
In Game 2, Taft again set the tone early, scoring in each of the first four innings and riding a balanced effort from both the offense and the pitching staff to another run-rule win. The Cougars jumped in front in the top of the first when Mischa Mott ripped a two-run double, staking Taft to a 2-0 advantage. After San Bernardino Valley answered with an unearned run in the bottom half, Taft broke the game open in the second with a four-run frame highlighted by Comilang's bases-clearing double that drove in three, extending the margin to 6-1.
Taft continued to apply pressure in the third inning, adding two more runs on a sacrifice fly and an RBI single from the middle of the order to make it 8-1. San Bernardino Valley cut the deficit to 8-2 with a sacrifice fly by J. Knighton in the bottom of the third, but that would be the final tally for the hosts. The Cougars answered immediately again in the fourth, tacking on two runs – including an RBI single from Mott – to reach the final 10-2 margin.
Mott turned in a standout two-way performance in the nightcap. At the plate, Mott went 3-for-3 with three RBI and two doubles as the Cougars piled up 11 hits and four doubles in the contest. In the circle, Mott worked 5.0 innings, scattering five hits while allowing two runs (one earned). The right-hander struck out four and walked three, working out of traffic and relying on the defense to strand seven San Bernardino Valley runners.
Comilang delivered another multi-hit effort in Game 2, finishing 2-for-3 with three RBI and a double as part of Taft's middle-of-the-order production. Jashia Lee-Hernando also added two hits, two runs scored and a double to help keep the pressure on the Wolverines' pitching staff. Taft's defense backed Mott with just one error, while San Bernardino Valley committed three miscues for the second straight game, contributing to extended innings and extra opportunities for the Cougars' offense.
Across the doubleheader, Taft outscored San Bernardino Valley 21-4, collected 21 hits and eight doubles, and received 11.0 combined innings in the circle from Mizener and Mott. The Cougars also stranded a total of 13 Wolverines on base, underscoring the effectiveness of both the pitching and defensive execution. The sweep gives Taft momentum heading into its upcoming road game against Allan Hancock College on Feb. 19.