TAFT --- It wasn't the start to the 2022 season that Taft College head coach Vince Maiocco envisioned but there is plenty to build off of from the Cougars' 12-5 loss in their season opener on Thursday to visiting Feather River College.
Opening-day jitters likely got to Taft starting pitcher Jordan Phillips as he allowed four runs in the first inning after giving up a pair of singles, walking two, and hitting a batter. He came back to record a one-two-three inning in the top of the second, he was lifted in the third after allowing a lead-off home run and single.
The Cougars' offense banged out nine hits. Bill Bonner drove in the initial run of the season for TC in the bottom of the first with his RBI double that scored Phillips.
Taft put up two runs in the fifth thanks to an RBI double from Chris Scherbarth that plated Rush Monsen. Phillips followed with a single to drive in Scherbarth to cut the Feather River lead to 6-3.
The Cougars clawed one step closer when Tanner Phillips smacked a pinch-hit single to drive in Blake Logan in the sixth to get within two runs.
But Feather River put the game out of reach with another four-run outburst in the top of the seventh.
Jordan Phillips (2 for 4, 1 RBI, 1 run) and Sean Ogrin (2 for 5) both had two hits to lead Taft at the plate. Phillips took the loss on the mound12, allowing five runs and four hits over 2+ innings. He struck out two and walked two.
Gavyn Siefert pitched well in relief, tossing a pair of scoreless innings to close out the game.
Taft (0-1) won't get much time to dwell on the loss. The Cougars travel to Bakersfield College for a 7 p.m. game on Friday (Jan. 28).