Cougars split home doubleheader with Merced

Taft College split a home doubleheader with Merced College on Tuesday in Cougar Country, using a late surge to secure a 10-7 win in Game 1 before falling 12-6 in Game 2. The opener turned on a three-run sixth inning that broke open a one-run game, while the nightcap saw Merced put together multiple big frames to even the series.

In Game 1, the Cougars built an early cushion with two runs in the first and another in the second to lead 3-0 after two innings. Merced answered with a four-run third, but Taft kept control of the momentum by responding with two runs of its own in the bottom half to stay in front 5-4. The teams traded offense again in the fourth, with Merced plating two and Taft answering with one to send the game to the fifth tied 6-6.

Taft inched back in front 7-6 with a single run in the fifth, then delivered the decisive blow in the sixth. The Cougars pushed across three runs in the inning to extend the lead to 10-6, giving the bullpen needed breathing room. Merced scratched one run across in the seventh but could not mount a full comeback, as Taft closed out the 10-7 victory behind a 12-hit attack and solid late-inning pitching.

The Cougars’ offense was led by Keona Comilang, who went 3-for-4 with two runs scored, three RBIs and a home run to pace the middle of the order. Mischa Mott provided both run production and late pitching stability, driving in four runs in four at-bats and recording a two-inning save in relief. At the top of the lineup, Katelynn Moore set the tone by scoring four runs, collecting a hit, stealing three bases and reaching via hit-by-pitch, constantly pressuring the Merced defense. Taft finished Game 1 with 10 runs on 12 hits and one error, while Merced totaled seven runs on 10 hits with one miscue.

Merced’s lineup still produced several standout efforts in the opener. Maisen Priddell went 4-for-4 with two runs scored, two RBIs and both a triple and a home run to spark the visitors’ middle of the order. Mariana Oberti added a home run and drove in three runs on one hit, helping Merced generate a four-run third and two-run fourth that kept the game even through four innings before Taft’s late separation.

In Game 2, Merced flipped the script by striking early and steadily building a lead on the way to a 12-6 win. The visitors scored two runs in the first to go up 2-1, then used a three-run third inning and a four-run fourth to move in front 9-1. Taft fought back with three runs in the bottom of the fourth and a single run in the fifth to trim the deficit to 9-5, but Merced responded with three more runs in the seventh to put the game out of reach despite a seventh-inning Cougars run.

Offensively, Taft out-hit Merced 13-11 in the nightcap but was unable to match Merced’s timely extra-base power. Moore capped a strong day at the plate with three hits, including a double, and scored two runs to lead the Cougars’ lineup. Taft finished with six runs on 13 hits and two errors, stranding 11 runners. In the circle, Jada Mizener worked 5.0 innings, allowing six runs on nine hits while striking out three, helping stabilize the game long enough for the Cougars’ offense to mount a midgame push.

Merced again leaned on the heart of its order in Game 2. Maisen Priddell followed her Game 1 performance with three hits, three runs, three RBIs and a home run. Haiden Priddell added two hits, four runs and a triple while reaching base multiple times, and Oberti drove in four runs on two hits, including another home run. Merced closed the day with 12 runs on 11 hits and two errors, drawing eight walks and leaving 11 runners on base.

With the doubleheader split, Taft College showcased its ability to produce runs in bunches, highlighted by the 10-run output and late-inning execution in the opener. The Cougars will look to build on the offensive performances from Moore, Comilang and Mott as they continue their schedule and prepare for upcoming conference play.