Taft College sophomore Wes Hebert lined a RBI single in the top of the first inning, but that would be all the scoring for the Cougars in a narrow 2-1 loss at Long Beach City College on Wednesday.
The afternoon started well for Taft with Buster Hardman leading off the game with a triple. Two batters later, he came in to score on Herbert's single to left field.
But that would be all for Taft. LBCC starting pitcher Garrett Rennie settled in and allowed just three hits over the final eight innings. He struck out eight Cougar batters in the complete-game win.
Taft starter Michael Barker nearly matched him, allowing two runs to the Vikings in the fourth and six hits over five innings. He struck out six.
Ryan Meng pitched well in relief for Taft, tossing 2 2/3 scoreless innings to close out the game.
Taft, now 3-7 overall, returns to action at home on Friday (Feb. 22) to host Bakersfield College at 12 p.m.