Sophomore Keegan Vialpando smashed a grand slam in the top of the eighth inning but Taft College couldn't overcome a shaky start and suffered a 6-4 loss at Reedley College on Tuesday in both teams' Central Valley Conference opener.
The three-game conference series continues on Thursday (Feb. 20) at Taft with Game 3 set for Saturday (Feb. 22) back in Reedley.
Reedley (9-3, 1-0 CVC) put up two runs on Taft starting pitcher Michael Sellech in the bottom of the first and second innings to take a 4-0 lead. The Tigers added two more runs in the seventh to take a commanding 6-0 advantage before the Cougars rallied in the eighth.
Damien Holmes opened the frame with a hit by pitch to start the rally. Two batters later, he advanced on an error that also allowed Greyson Barrett to reach base. With two outs, Luis DeLeon walked to load the bases. Vialpando took full advantage of the situation, clearing the bases with his home run off Reedley relief pitcher Josiah Heshmaty to get Taft within two runs.
The Cougars weren't done in the inning. A pair of hit batters and a single by pinch hitter Colton Girard once again loaded the bases for Taft. But the Cougars couldn't get the big hit they needed as Holmes struck out against Cameron Gallardo to end the threat. Gallardo retired Taft in order in the ninth to close out the Reedley victory
Reedley starter Matthew Mathis held the Cougars scoreless over 6 2/3 innings. He gave up just 4 hits and struck out five in earning the win.
Selleck took the loss for Taft, giving up 4 runs and 8 hits over 2 innings. He struck out three and walked one. Taft totaled 6 hits in the ball game, getting two each from Vialpando (2 for 4, 4 RBI, 1 run) and DeLeon (2 for 3, 1 walk, 1 run).
Taft fell to 2-10 overall and 0-1 in the Central Valley Conference.