Comilang, Mott spark middle-inning surge as Cougars fall to Sequoias

Taft College put together a pair of strong scoring frames in the middle innings but could not fully overcome College of the Sequoias' early pressure, dropping a 12-4 decision Thursday afternoon at the TC Softball Field in Taft.

Sequoias set the tone early, pushing across a run in the top of the first and steadily building a lead with three more in the third and four in the fourth to go up 8-0. The visitors capitalized on nine walks and nine hits overall, using traffic on the bases to create multiple crooked numbers, including a three-run sixth that stretched the margin to its final eight-run difference.

The Cougars answered with their best stretch offensively in the bottom of the fourth and fifth innings. Down 8-0, Taft broke through with a two-run fourth to get on the board, then added two more in the fifth to cut the deficit to 9-4. Cougars hitters finished with four runs on five hits, including three doubles, and showed patience with two walks against Sequoias starter Audrina Rodriguez.

Keona Comilang led the Taft offense, going 2-for-3 with a double, two RBI and a run scored while reaching base at a .667 clip. Mischa Mott also came up with a key hit in the middle innings, driving in two runs as the Cougars mounted their comeback push. Taft's extra-base production helped flip the momentum briefly, forcing Sequoias to work through traffic in back-to-back frames.

In the circle, Jada Mizener opened the game for Taft, working three innings and allowing four runs on five hits with one strikeout and two walks. Mott took over in relief for the final three innings, yielding four hits and eight runs while battling through seven walks and recording one strikeout. Despite Sequoias' run production, the Cougars' staff limited the Giants to 10 RBI on 12 runs, aided by a handful of defensive plays that kept additional runners from scoring.

Taft's defense was tested throughout, as Sequoias applied pressure with four stolen bases and consistent base runners. The Cougars were charged with three errors but also turned in several routine plays to close out innings and give the offense chances to respond, particularly in the fourth and fifth when Taft strung together its best stretch of the day.

With the home contest against Sequoias in the books, the Cougars turn their attention to the heart of the conference slate. The production from Comilang and Mott in the middle innings provided a bright spot, and Taft will look to build on that offensive approach as the team continues through its upcoming schedule.