Cougars power past Barstow in doubleheader sweep

TAFT, Calif. — Taft College used a barrage of extra-base hits and error-free defense to sweep a home doubleheader from Barstow on Feb. 26 at TC Softball Field, taking the opener 10-4 before closing out the day with a 19-1 run-rule victory.

In Game 1, the Cougars broke open a back-and-forth contest with a decisive stretch in the middle innings, scoring three runs in the fourth and four more in the fifth to turn a 3-1 deficit into an 8-3 advantage on the way to a 10-4 win. Taft finished with 12 hits, including three doubles and three home runs, and took full advantage of its speed with eight stolen bases while playing clean defense with zero errors.

Barstow struck first with a run in the top of the first and later pushed two more across in the fourth to move in front 3-1. Taft answered immediately in the bottom of the fourth with a three-run frame to seize a 4-3 lead, then put together the game's defining inning in the fifth, plating four runs to create separation. The Cougars added two insurance runs in the sixth, while Barstow managed just a single run in the top half of that inning and was held scoreless the rest of the way.

Taft's offense in the opener was led by Keona Comilang and Jazzy Juarez in the heart of the order and Jashia Lee-Herna in run-production spots. Comilang went 3-for-? with two runs scored, two RBIs and a home run, continuing to provide consistent power. Juarez added two hits, three runs scored and a home run, sparking multiple rallies. Lee-Herna drove in a game-high three runs, finishing with one hit and a run scored as the Cougars methodically built their lead.

Defensively, Taft backed its pitching staff by playing error-free softball, while Barstow's two errors extended innings and helped fuel scoring opportunities. Barstow totaled seven hits and a home run, highlighted by M. Maestas, who finished with two hits, two runs scored and a long ball, but the visitors could not keep pace with the Cougars' production over the final three innings.

The nightcap was all Taft from the start, as the Cougars scored in each of the first four innings and pulled away for a 19-1 victory behind a dominant two-way performance from Mischa Mott and another power surge from the lineup. Taft posted 16 hits, including six home runs, a triple and a double, and again committed no errors, while Barstow was limited to two hits and charged with three errors.

Taft set the tone in Game 2 with a run in the first before erupting for six runs in the second, five in the third and seven more in the fourth to build a 19-0 cushion. Barstow broke up the shutout with its lone run in the top of the fourth, but the outcome was no longer in doubt as the Cougars continued to apply pressure with quality at-bats and aggressive baserunning.

Mott anchored the Cougars in the circle, working 5.0 innings while allowing just two hits and striking out 11. At the plate, Mott added three hits, two RBIs and a home run, contributing on both sides of the ball. Comilang capped a standout doubleheader by going 3-for-? with four runs scored, four RBIs, a home run and a triple in Game 2, while Cadence Mizener powered the middle of the order with two hits, two home runs, six RBIs and three runs scored. Juarez continued her strong day with two hits, two runs and two home runs in the finale as the Cougars' power and depth took over.

Across the doubleheader, Taft outscored Barstow 29-5, outhit the visitors 28-9 and played error-free softball over 14 innings. The Cougars' combination of power, speed and steady defense at TC Softball Field provided a strong early-season statement as they look ahead to continuing their schedule, including a doubleheader home date against Merced College on March 3.