TAFT --- Jesus Cruz' single with two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning drove in Sean Ogrin to secure Taft College's first victory of the season, a 4-3 walk-off winner over visiting Allan Hancock College on Tuesday.
After giving up a run in the top of the 11th to the Bulldogs, TC scored twice in the bottom of the frame to pull off the win. Bill Bonner led off with a double to start the rally and went to third base on a wild pitch. Two batters later, Ogrin singled to bring in Bonner and moved to second on an error. With two outs, Cruz laced a single off the Bulldogs' Nate Wenzel to set off the celebration for Taft.
The Cougars fell behind early in the contest as Allan Hancock scored a run in the first and another in the sixth to take a 2-0 lead. TC finally got on the scoreboard in the seventh and tied it up in the ninth when Ogrin smacked a solo home run.
Ogrin, who came in to pinch hit in the seventh, went a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with 2 RBI and 2 runs. Cruz also had a big day at the plate, going 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and a walk.
It was a bullpen game for the Cougars as TC used eight different pitchers in the contest. Genta Yamazaki (2 innings), Jackson Irving (1 inn.), Gavyn Siefert (1 inn.), Theo Grutas (1 inn.), and Chris Scherbarth (1 inn., win) all had scoreless outings.
Taft, now 1-2 overall, returns to action on Thursday (Feb. 3) when the Cougars host Antelope Valley College in a non-conference game.