TAFT --- Taft College totaled a season-high 13 hits, including a pair of home runs by Jordan Phillips, in a thrilling 11-10 victory over visiting Bakersfield College on Thursday.
The Cougars fell behind early and trailed 5-0 after a four-run rally by Bakersfield (3-5) in the top of the third inning.
TC responded with a four-run outburst of its own in the bottom of the third. Sean Ogrin's two-out single drove in a pair and Phillips capped the rally with a two-run home run to cut the Bakersfield lead to 5-4.
The Cougars' bat continued where they left off, putting up three runs in the fourth and fifth innings to jump ahead 10-6. Tyler Vanneste hit a two-run home run in the fourth to give TC its first lead at 6-5. And Phillips got things started in the fifth, smacking a solo shot to lead off the frame.
But the Renegades chipped away at that lead, adding a run in the sixth before tying up the game at 10-10 with three runs in the eighth.
Taft was able to manufacture the game-winning run in the bottom of the eighth. With one out, Jesus Cruz was hit by a pitch and advanced all the way to third base on an errant pickoff throw. Ogrin followed with a ground out to third base that allowed Cruz to score what would be the game's final run.
The Cougars had to battle to shut the door on the Renegades in the ninth. A TC error and single by Jose Ruiz put the potential tying and go-ahead runs on base for Bakersfield. But reliever Blake Logan struck out the next two batters and got Jarrett Brannen to fly out to end the threat and the ball game.
Theo Grutas was credited with the win in relief after getting the final out of the eighth inning while Logan earned his first save of the year with his scoreless ninth.
Phillips had the big day at the plate for the Cougars, going 3 for 5 with 3 RBI and a pair of runs. Ogrin (2 for 5) and Vanneste (2 for 4) both drove in two runs each. Nate Gutierrez (2 for 4, 2B) and Genta Yamazaki (2 for 4) both had two hits.
Taft evened up its record at 4-4 overall. The Cougars return to action on Tuesday (Feb. 15) when they travel to Allan Hancock College for a 2 p.m. non-conference game.