By Jesse Lubiniecki

TAFT, CA – The Taft College Baseball Cougars played Bakersfield College on Friday, February 14 looking for redemption. The Renegades struck early in the first putting up 2 runs. Ryden Walker came in long relief, stepping on the mound with loaded bases and 2 outs in the first. Working efficiently, he gets the last out of the inning on a strikeout. Ryden pitched 6.1 innings allowing no earned runs and striking out 11 giving the Cougars a chance to win.

The Cougars offense struggled to make it hitless until the 9th inning in a 3-0 ball game when Eian Peralta singled. Ty Moore carried the torch, hitting a double in the gap, giving the Cougars life. Odnal Rivera put a ball in play to end the Renegades shutout. Rhett Hodgins stepped up and singled into left, scoring 1 more making it 2-3. This was not enough, and the Cougars just fell short losing to Bakersfield.

Taft will enter into conference action next week where they will face Coalinga College on February 18.