TAFT, CA – The Taft College Softball Cougars rallied to top Coalinga College Softball 10-6 last Thursday. The Cougars trailed by as many as four runs during the game.

A ground out by Lupita Romero put Coalinga College on the board in the top of the second.

Coalinga added to their early lead in the top of the third inning after Alex McDanell homered to center field, and Niliah Gruver grounded into a fielder's choice, each scoring one run.

Taft flipped the game on its head in the bottom of the fourth, scoring five runs on five hits to take the lead, 7-6. The biggest blow in the inning was a double by Kate Moore on a 0-2 count that drove in two.

Ava Heitman earned the win for the Cougars. The right-handed pitcher surrendered four hits and six runs (three earned) over four innings, striking out four and walking three. Jenessa Sanchez took the loss for Coalinga. The pitcher went four innings, giving up seven runs on eight hits, striking out three and walking four. Jada Mizner tossed three innings of no-run ball for the Cougars in relief. The hurler gave up three hits, striking out four and walking one.

The Cougars tallied 11 hits in the game. Laie Keahi provided pop in the middle of the lineup, and led the Cougars with three runs batted in. The 3-hole hitter went 1-for-3 on the day. Cadence Mizner, Mischa Mott, and Moore each collected two hits for Taft. Heitman paced Taft with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, tallying five walks for the game. Keahi stole two bases. The Cougars ran wild on the base paths, piling up five stolen bases for the game.

Ayana Lopez led Coalinga with two hits in three at bats. Bryton Loflin, Gruver, Romero, and McDanell each drove in one run for Coalinga. Romero paced Coalinga with two walks. Overall, the team had patience at the plate, piling up four walks for the game. Esme Zuniga Romero stole two bases. Coalinga stole five bases in the game.

Cougars welcome Merced College on Thursday, March 27 at 2:00 pm for their next game.