The Taft High defense, one year removed from surrendering 60 points in a 60-29 shootout loss to State-bound Harrisburg, limited the Eagles to just six points Friday to march off with a 14-6 home upset in the Class 3A football opener for both teams.
First baseman Jack Stempel drove home three runs, including one in the bottom of the first inning behind winner Caleb King, to get No. 1-ranked Taft off and running to its 11th straight victory -- 11-1 over fifth-rated Horizon Christian/Tualatin.
Junior reliever Bleiz Kimbrough made the most of a rare start Tuesday with a one-hit, 10-strikeout road shutout of Sheridan for Taft High’s 10th straight victory and seventh in a row shortened by the state’s 10-run mercy rule.
The first-place Tigers scored 11 runs in the first inning and eight in the second, and supported senior starter Jack Stempel with 18 hits to win their ninth straight game and sixth in a row with 10 runs or more.
Taft High sophomore Ella Knott broke the school girls’ javelin record Wednesday at a West Valley League track and field meet in Corvallis with a heave of 129 feet, 2 inches.
Outfielder Caleb Jones drove in four runs on two hits and scored twice, and fellow sophomore Trenton Fisher and junior Cody Knott added two RBIS each Wednesday to lead the Taft High baseball team to a 14-3 road win at Clatskanie.
The Taft High boys golf team overcame wet playing conditions that included casual water on some fairways, greens and bunkers to place second Monday in an 18-hole West Valley League match near Lebanon.
Considering his status as leadoff hitter and team captain, who better to set the stage for the Taft High baseball team’s undeniable success than senior shortstop Josh Salsbery.
