Taft College fell behind early and couldn't recover in its 7-2 season-opening loss to visiting West Valley College on Friday.

Opening day nerves might have played a factor for freshman starting pitcher Gillian Hale. She gave up consecutive doubles and a single that allowed two runs to score in the top of the first inning to give West Valley the early lead.

The Cougars came right back in the bottom of the frame to cut that lead in half. Madeline Abernathy helped produce the run as she drew a one-out walk before stealing second and third base. With two outs, Jacqueline Perez singled to bring Abernathy home and make the score 2-1.

Taft would get no closer as the Vikings added a run in the third and scored another in the sixth to go up 4-1. The Cougars got their final run in the bottom of the sixth with Abernathy once again doing damage on the base paths. She singled to lead off the frame and moved to second after a walk to Hale. Abernathy stole her third base of the day, moving to third before Perez' ground out allowed her to come in to score.

West Valley closed out the scoring with three runs in the top of the seventh.

Hale took the loss for the Cougars, allowing three runs and seven hits over five innings. Anissa Bernal closed out the contest in the circle for Taft, going two innings while giving up four runs and seven hits.

Taft totaled five hits in the ball game, getting a pair from Isabelle Martinez (2 for 3). Perez (1 for 3) had 2 RBI while Abernathy went 1 for 3 with a walk, 2 runs, and 3 stolen bases.

The Cougars will look to earn their first win next Friday (Feb. 7) when they host Hartnell College in non-conference doubleheader, starting at noon.