The Central Valley Conference schedule got off to a rocky start for the Taft College softball team. On Tuesday, the Cougars were swept in a doubleheader by visiting Merced College, dropping a pair of five-inning games by scores of 14-1 and 12-4.

Despite the losses, Taft shortstop Jacqueline Perez had a big day offensively, hitting a combined 4 for 4 with 2 RBI, a walk, and a run.

Game 1 saw Perez collect Taft's two hits in the ball game. She helped manufacture the Cougars' only run in the second inning after leading off the frame with a single. Perez then stole second base to get into scoring position and came in to score on an error off the bat of Kayla Kaszycki.

Merced blew the game open with a seven-run rally in the top of the third. Gillian Hale took the loss for the Cougars after allowing 9 runs (8 earned) and 7 hits over 3 2/3 innings.

Taft got off to a good start in Game 2 of the doubleheader, scoring a run in the first and two more in the second to take a 3-2 lead. But another big inning by the Blue Devils put the game out of reach. Merced put up 6 runs in the top of the fourth to go ahead for good.

Perez had another 2 for 2 game at the plate, leading Taft with 2 RBI. Hale also 2 hits and scored twice while Isabelle Martinez drove in a run.

Abrianna Car got the loss after allowing 9 runs (7 earned) and 9 hits over 3 2/3 innings.

Taft dropped to 1-10 overall and 0-2 in the CVC. The Cougars return to conference action on Thursday (Mar. 5) when they travel to Porterville College for a 2 p.m. game.