Cougars Pull Away Late to Run-Rule Porterville on the Road

Taft College used a pair of late-inning outbursts and a complete-game effort in the circle from Jada Mizener to power past Porterville 11-2 in six innings on Thursday afternoon at Porterville College.

Clinging to a 4-2 lead after four innings, the Cougars broke the game open with a three-run fifth highlighted by a solo home run from Keiara Santos, then put the contest out of reach with a four-run sixth. Taft finished with 11 runs on 10 hits while taking advantage of six Porterville errors to secure the run-rule victory.

Taft set the tone early with two runs in the top of the first. Keona Comilang singled to start the game and Cadence Mizener followed with another hit that was misplayed, putting pressure on the Porterville defense. Jasmine Estrada delivered an RBI single, and when Mischa Mott reached on an error, another run crossed to give the Cougars a quick 2-0 advantage.

Porterville answered with single runs in each of the first two innings to tie the game. In the bottom of the first, Maddiysn Montecinos tripled and came home on an RBI single by Elli John. The Pirates added another run in the second to even the score at 2-2 before Mizener and the Cougars' defense settled in and controlled the rest of the game.

Taft reclaimed the lead for good in the third inning. Estrada reached as part of a rally that brought up Santos, who drilled a two-run double to center field to drive in Estrada and Jazzy Juarez, pushing the Cougars ahead 4-2. Santos struck again in the fifth, launching a home run as part of a three-run frame that extended the margin to 7-2 and shifted all momentum to Taft.

The Cougars then put the game out of reach with a four-run sixth inning. Cadence Mizener doubled in a run to start the scoring, and Taft continued to apply pressure, forcing a defensive misplay and capitalizing on a wild pitch. An RBI groundout capped the inning, stretching the lead to 11-2 and setting up the run-rule finish after the bottom half.

Mizener was steady in the circle from start to finish, working six complete innings while allowing seven hits and just one earned run. She struck out four and walked only one, keeping Porterville off the board over the final four innings as the Cougars' offense pulled away.

Santos led the offensive effort with two hits and three RBI, including her home run and two-run double. Cadence Mizener added two hits, a double, two runs scored and an RBI, while Estrada reached base three times, scored three runs and drove in one. Comilang chipped in two hits and two runs scored as Taft combined timely hitting with aggressive baserunning and solid defense to close out the road win.