Olympian Visits Cougar Softball Team by Dennis McCall Taft Midway Driller March 24, 2010 “Inspiring.” That was the word that most often came to mind when Taft College softball players were asked what they thought of a surprise clinic they got form Olympic silver medalist Andrea Duran.  “It was great to have someone here who has played at that level,” said Mersades Cruz.  “It was a great experience,” echoed first baseman Courtney Nyatrae.  “She is one of the best.” Duran put on a fielding and throwing clinic for the Cougars, drawing on her experience as a two-time college World Series champion at UCLA (2003-04), two-time World Cup champion (2006-07), World champion (2006), Pan American Gold Medalist (2007), and Olympic silver medalist in the 2008 Beijing games.  “They’re going to remember this the rest of their lives,” said Cougar head coach Stefanie Walsh.  “It’s an opportunity for them to interact with the best of the best.  Plus, we get some different eyes on the stuff we are doing.”Read more.

Taft College softball takes on COS today in an away game for the Cougars. In the first the Cougars couldn't get anything started but the Giants picked up one run on two crucial fielding errors. TC continued to struggle at the plate throughout the game but the Giants continued to pour on runs leading in the fifth (0-7). The Cougars were unable to produce offensively and the game ended in a loss (0-8).

In the1st inning of the second game of the double header, Joya Cervera leads off with a single but is unable to score for the Cougars. An RBI single scores one for the Giants to take the lead (0-1). In the third two more runs come across for the Giants on three hits. The Cougars unfortunately go three-up three-down in the fifth, while the Giants tack on four more (0-7). COS gets their second win from the Cougars (0-8).

The TC Cougars softball team faced off today against the Reedley Tigers. Allie Carrigan was the starting pitcher for the Cougars. In the first the Tigers picked up one run, on two hits, and an error. However, Allie Carrigan settled in and held the Tigers scoreless through the fourth inning. The Cougars picked up two in the fourth on a two RBI double by Kelcey Viliamu. Carrigan allowed only three hits and one run in the game. The Cougars won it (4-1) picking up two runs in the sixth.

Merced faces off today against the TC softball team in a double-header. Merced lead off in the first game scoring first on an RBI single (0-1). In the bottom of the second TC finally tied the game on a sac bunt by Mahela Punley (1-1). In the third with one out Joya Cervera hits a solo homerun to put the Cougars ahead (2-1). Allie Carrigan held the Blue Devils to just four hits and one run in seven innings. The Cougars scored in almost every frame to win the game (5-1).

The second game gave Merced another chance to beat the Cougars.  Good defense through the first keeps the game tied at (0-0). In the bottom of the second TC gets one run across on Monica Lovato's RBI single (1-0).  The Blue Devils struggled at the plate getting only three hits in four innings. In the fifth the Cougars racked up two runs on five hits. The two runs came on Amber Siu's two out double (3-0). In the sixth the Cougars picked up one more and they go on to win it by the score of 4-0.

Taft College Softball team went up against Fresno City on Tuesday. Fresno started off the game by scoring the first run in the bottom of the second inning. Fresno scored three more runs in the bottom of the third inning and their last run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Courtney Nyetrae scored a run for Taft in the top of the seventh inning, but unfortunately it was Taft’s only run of the game. Taft’s next home game will be on March 25th against Porterville College.

Taft vs Reedley
(DH) 3-6, 10-6
by Jessica Sanchez
March 16, 2010

The Taft College softball team traveled to Reedley for a double header on March 16th. Reedley started off the match by scoring three runs in the bottom of the first inning and another run in the bottom of the second inning. Courtney Nyatrae doubled in the top of the third inning, bringing Joya Cervera and Baylee day home, and moving Kelcey Vilamu to third. Amber Si’u singled, bringing Kelcey home for the Lady Cougars third run of the game. Reedley scored their last two runs of the game in the bottom of the fourth inning and in the bottom of the sixth inning. Taft came three runs short, losing their first game 3-6.

The Lady Cougars came off strong in the second game, scoring five runs by the top of the second inning.  Taft scored another three runs in the top of the third, one run in the top of the fourth, and their last run in the top of the seventh inning. Amongst the 10 runs that were scored was a homerun by Baylee Day, who had already scored two runs earlier in the game.  The other seven runs were scored by Megan Smith (2), Isela Puente (2), Kelcey Viliamu, Mahela Punley, and Amber Si’u. The Lady Cougars came back strong, beating Reedley 10-6 in the second match.

Ohlone Tournament
by Jessica Sanchez
March 14, 2010

Taft (2) vs Modesto (3)

The Lady Cougars participated in the Ohlone College Tournament in Freemont; rain delays caused Taft to play three games on Sunday, March 14th. Joya Cervera started off the first game, getting a run in the top of the first inning while Modesto scored a run in the bottom of the third inning and another two runs in the bottom of the seventh inning due to infield errors. Taft College was only able to score a late run in the top of the seventh inning, giving Joya Cervera her second run of the game and Taft’s only two runs of the game. Taft fell a run short, losing to Modesto 2-3.

Taft (3) vs San Jose (8)

San Jose started off the game by getting two runs in the top of the first inning while scoring another three in the top of the fourth inning. Kelcey Viliamu, Amber Si’u, and Mahela Punley all scored in the bottom of the fourth inning. San Jose scored their last three runs in the top of the 6th inning, leaving Taft behind by five runs.  The Lady Cougars fell short again, losing 3-8 to San Jose City College.

Taft (6) vs Chabot (2)

Although having lost their first two games of the tournament, the Lady Cougars did not give up on their last game against Chabot College. Chabot scored a run in the top of the second inning and another in the top of the seventh inning while Taft College scored an overall of six runs throughout the game. The runs were scored by Megan Smith, Joya Cervera, Courtney Nyetrae, Baylee Day, Kelcey Viliamu, and Amber Si’u. The Lady Cougars came back after two losses and beat Chabot College 6-2, giving them a record of 1-2 in the tournament.

Taft (1) vs Merced (0)
by Jessica Sanchez
March 10, 2010

The Lady Cougars were originally scheduled to face Merced College on March 4th, but the game was postponed to March 10th due to the rain. Joya Cervera was the only player of the match to score throughout the whole game on either of the teams. The Cougars brought back the win, making it their seventh win of the season.

Taft vs Fresno
(DH) 5-4, 0-9
by Jessica Sanchez
March 2, 2010

Taft hosted a double header against Fresno City College on Tuesday, March 2nd. Fresno started off early by scoring two runs in the top of the first inning. The Lady Cougars then came out strong in the bottom of the second inning, scoring a total of five runs. The first run was scored by Monica Lovato off of Allie Carrigan’s double.  Joya Cervera hit a grand slam, bringing Mahela Punley, Baylee Day, and Allie Carrigan in. Fresno was only able to make two more runs throughout the rest of the game. Taft was able to stay on top, beating Fresno 5-4 in the first game.

Unfortunately, Fresno came back the second game, beating Taft College 0-9. The Lady Cougars were looking to face Merced on March 4th, but the game will be postponed.  Taft’s next home game will be on March 11th against College of the Sequoias.

Taft vs Delta
(DH) 0-9, 3-10
by Jessica Sanchez
February 28, 2010


Taft took the field on February 28th to face Delta College for a double header. Delta College started off early by getting two runs in on the top of the second inning. They added another 7 runs throughout the game, giving them a total of nine runs in the first game while leaving Taft scoreless. 

Kelcey Viliamu started off the second game by making a home run, bringing Courtney Nyetrae in.  Allie Carrigan also had a run on the bottom of the seventh inning off of an error. Unfortunately, three runs were not enough to beat Delta College, who had ten runs total in the second game. The Lady Cougars will be facing Fresno College on March 2nd at home.