Clutch Hitting, Late-Inning Power Lead Sequoias to Doubleheader Sweep at Taft
Game 2
Game 2
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Sequoias
|
1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 16 | 0 |
|
Taft
|
0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 5 |
TAFT, Calif. – The No. 12-ranked College of the Sequoias softball team (26-9, 11-2 CVC) leaned on timely hits and extra-inning poise to sweep a Central Valley Conference road doubleheader at Taft College. The Giants took game one 4-3 in extra innings before rolling to a 12-2 win in game two, highlighted by a six-run seventh inning.
Game 1: COS 4, Taft 3 (9 innings)
Grace Chojnacki (Mission Oak HS) delivered in the clutch twice, tying the game in the seventh with an RBI double, then winning it in the ninth with another run-scoring double to lift the Giants to a hard-fought 4-3 extra-inning win.
After falling behind 2-1 through three innings, the Giants battled back to tie the game twice, including in the eighth when Skye Gomez (Corona) hit a go-ahead RBI double. After Taft knotted the score in the eighth, the Giants responded in the ninth with Grace Chojnacki's RBI double that brought home Madisyn Benedict (Hanford HS) for the go-ahead run.
It was a two-way gem from Chojnacki, who powered the Giants' offense with a 4-for-4 day at the plate and held Taft to six hits across nine innings of work, striking out four.
"Grace showed exactly why she's one of the toughest players in this conference," said head coach Cori Janelli. "She was locked in at the plate and battled all game in the circle. That's the kind of leadership we rely on. Our whole team showed grit and composure and everyone played a role in that win."
Game 2: COS 12, Taft 2
College of the Sequoias took command early and never let up in the second game, collecting 16 hits and capitalizing on five Taft errors. Emilee Santos (Corcoran HS) led the offensive outburst with a 4-for-5 performance, driving in three runs and scoring twice. Shelby Somavia (Redwood HS) added three hits, including a double and a triple, with four RBIs.
The Giants blew the game open in the seventh inning, scoring six runs to stretch their lead to double digits. Madison Lujan (Hanford HS), Skye Gomez, and Madisyn Benedict each contributed key RBIs during the rally.
Taylor Hastin (Tulare Union HS) earned her 15th win in the circle, striking out nine and walking none while scattering eight hits over seven innings.
On Deck
The Giants return home on Thursday, April 10, to host West Hills Coalinga at 12:00 PM in a Central Valley Conference matchup. College of the Sequoias will then hit the road again for one more meeting with Taft College, set for Tuesday, April 15 at 2:00 PM.
