TAFT, CA – Taft College Softball hosted its first home game this season last Saturday on March 2 versus the College of the Desert Roadrunners.
The action started early as the Roadrunners were able to put up 1 run in the first inning. The TC Cougars answered back scoring a run of their own in the bottom of inning 1. The game remained tied until the 3rd as the Roadrunners were able to jump ahead by one. As the Cougars came up for their half of the inning, they struck back with 3 runs of their own with 3 straight hits in the middle of the lineup. The Cougars were able to maintain the lead throughout the rest of the game and added 3 more runs in the bottom of the 5th inning. The middle of the lineup really produced combining 10 of the 11 hits and 6 of the 7 total runs scored. Isabella Navaro was able to hold it down with a complete game allowing 14 hits, 1 strikeout and 4 earned runs. Taft defeated College of the Desert 7-5.
In game 2, the Roadrunners started off hot scoring 4 in the first inning and 3 in the second. The Cougars did not answer back and were shut down for 3 innings. The Cougars did show life scoring 3 runs in the 4th inning and were able to shut down the Roadrunners in the 3rd and 4th inning. Taft was able to score 2 more in the 5th inning, but it wasn't enough to circumvent the bats of the Desert. Hanna Hendricks was able to hold them at 6 earned runs through 6 innings, but the defensive miscues proved to be costly as Talamantez was able to quiet the bats of the Cougars. Desert defeated Taft 13-5.
There were some highlights throughout both games as Laie Keahi went 4 for 7 with a walk and 3 runs scored for the Cougars. Hanna Hendricks did a great job at the plate, going 5 for 7 with 3 RBI's and 4 runs scored.
Taft will play again at home on Tuesday, in its first conference matchup against Merced College at 1:00 pm.