Taft drops 8-4 home game to Reedley after third- and fifth-inning swings

Taft took an early lead but could not hold off Reedley in an 8-4 loss Thursday in a seven-inning game at 29 Cougar Court. The decisive turn came in the third inning, when Reedley scored three times to move back in front, then added another three-run burst in the fifth to create enough separation to finish off the Cougars.

Reedley struck first with two runs in the opening inning, but Taft answered quickly. The Cougars got one run back in the first, then put together a two-run second inning to take a 3-2 lead. That was Taft's best stretch of the afternoon, and it came as part of a steady offensive effort that produced 12 hits, compared with seven for Reedley. Keiara Santos led Taft at the plate by going 3 for 4 with a run scored, while Katelynn Moore added two hits, an RBI and a run. Jada Mizener also helped offensively with two hits.

The lead changed again in the third. Reedley capitalized for three runs to go up 5-3, then broke the game open further with three more in the fifth for an 8-3 advantage. Taft managed one run in the seventh, but the late push stopped there. The inning-by-inning line reflected the key moments clearly: Reedley scored in the first, third and fifth, while Taft scored in the first, second and seventh.

Aubryelle Agular played a central role in the Reedley win. She earned the victory after working six innings, allowing eight hits and one earned run with two walks and one strikeout. Agular also contributed at the plate with a home run, two RBIs and two runs scored. Mia Castillo added to Reedley's attack with three hits and two RBIs, helping Reedley make the most of limited chances despite being outhit.

Mizener was charged with the loss for Taft after throwing four innings. She allowed five hits and four earned runs, walked one and struck out one. As a staff, the Cougars gave up seven hits over seven innings, but three Taft errors and Reedley's timely hitting proved costly. Taft finished with three errors, while Reedley committed two.

The game summary showed a frustrating contrast for the Cougars: more hits, but fewer breakthrough innings. Taft put runners on throughout the afternoon and closed with a run in the seventh, yet Reedley's combined pitching effort limited the bigger inning that might have changed the result.