PHOTOS BY MARICE WOODRUFF
Sophomore Emma Coulter hit and pitched Taft High to victory with two RBIs and a six-hitter Friday for a key 4-2 home win over Dayton in a showdown between unbeaten West Valley League teams.
“Tonight’s game was a huge win for us,” Taft coach Sandy Stuart said. “We came out totally confident and clear-headed. We earned a big win and a big step in taking the league title. Dayton is a rival in our league and the team to beat.”
Coulter survived the hitting of leadoff batter Malina Ray, who collected half of Dayton’s hits and scored both runs, by shutting the Pirates down after Taft scored twice in the bottom of the third inning to tie the game, 2-2. The Tigers (10-5, 4-0 West Valley) scored two times in the fifth off Pirates’ starter Ani Heidt to secure the win.
“Emma pitched an amazing game,” Stuart said. “She worked hard from start to finish.”
Senior third baseman Naomi Rini, sophomore catcher Hailee Dannecker and freshman shortstop Claira Tolan had two hits each for Taft, while Dannecker and senior centerfielder Alyysa Tanksley drove home runs against the Pirates (10-6, 4-1).
Dannecker scored twice and Rini and freshman leadoff hitter Kyla Knott once each for the Tigers.
“Not only did we have nine base hits off of a great pitcher, but we played tough defense and maintained a winning attitude throughout the game,” said Stuart, who cited Dannecker for a pivotal throw to second to help keep the Pirates off the base paths.
Coulter, Knott and senior Madison Clanton had Taft’s other hits.
“Our defense was placed in different positions, but they rose to the occasion and played so well,” Stuart said. “The girls really wanted the win and it showed.”
Taft 4, Dayton 2
DAYTON AB R H BI
Malina Ray 4 2 3 0
Catie Jacks 4 0 1 1
Ani Heidt 2 0 0 0
Kalina Rojas 3 0 1 1
Maddie Fluke 3 0 0 0
Sofia Cicirone 2 0 0 0
Emily Elliot 3 0 1 0
Jodi Desmet 3 0 0 0
Gabby Shadden 3 0 0 0
Madison Clanton 3 0 1 0
TOTALS 27 2 6 2
TAFT AB R H BI
Kyla Knott 4 1 1 0
Naomi Rini 4 1 2 0
Hailee Dannecker 4 2 2 1
Emma Coulter 3 0 1 2
Alyssa Tanksley 3 0 0 1
Claira Tolan 3 0 2 0
Makena Cole 2 0 0 0
Kayla Lininger 1 0 0 0
McKenzie Evenson 3 0 0 0
TOTALS 30 4 9 4
DAYTON 101 000 0 — 2
TAFT 002 020 x — 4
LOB–DAYTON 6, TAFT TIGERS 8. ERR–Maddie Fluke (2), Kennedy Shihanek, Malina Ray, Gabby Shadden, Makena Cole. 2B—Malina Ray, Catie Jacks, Hailee Dannecker, Claira Tolan. SACB–Sofia Cicirone. SB–Malina Ray.
DAYTON IP H R ER BB SO HR
Ani Heidt 6.00 9 4 3 0 7 0
TAFT
Emma Coulter 7.00 6 2 2 1 5 0
PB–Sofia Cicirone. BB—Ani Heidt.
