Cougars Power Past Coalinga 13-2 Behind Long Ball, One-Hit Pitching

COALINGA, Calif. — Taft College erupted for six runs in the fourth inning to break the game open and closed out a 13-2, five-inning road win over Coalinga on Thursday afternoon.

The Cougars led from the opening frame, putting up five runs in the first inning and never looking back. Taft added two more runs in the second before delivering the decisive blow in the fourth, using a barrage of extra-base hits and home runs to build a 13-1 advantage and trigger the run-rule victory after five.

Taft's offense finished with 13 runs on 10 hits while capitalizing on three Coalinga errors. Keiara Santos provided the biggest swing of the day, clubbing a home run and driving in four runs. Keona Comilang also went deep, finishing with two hits, two RBIs and a team-high three runs scored, helping set the tone from the top of the order.

Katelynn Moore sparked the attack throughout the lineup, collecting two hits, scoring three times and stealing two bases as the Cougars consistently pressured Coalinga on the basepaths. Taft totaled 12 RBIs as a team and drew four walks, turning early base runners into an immediate 7-0 cushion after two innings.

In the circle, Taft's pitching staff was dominant. Cougar pitchers combined for 5.0 innings, allowing just one hit and two earned runs while striking out seven. Jada Mizener led the staff with 4.0 innings of one-hit ball, striking out six and limiting Coalinga to a single run during her work in the circle as Taft controlled the game defensively.

Defensively, the Cougars were steady, committing just one error and stranding eight Coalinga runners. The lone extra-base hit allowed was an RBI double by Olivia Marsing in the third, and Coalinga added its second run in the fifth on a run-scoring plate appearance by Niliah Gruver, but Taft closed the door to secure the 13-2 final.

With the run-rule victory, Taft College continued to showcase a balanced formula of power at the plate, aggressiveness on the bases and efficient work in the circle, providing momentum heading into the heart of the schedule.