The Taft Wildcats will head out to square off against the Highland Scots at 4:00 p.m. on Wednesday. Taft is looking for their season's first victory.
Taft fought the good fight in their extra-innings contest against Independence on Tuesday but wound up with a less-than-desirable result. They fell just short of the Falcons by a score of 5-4. One positive for the Wildcats, at least, is that this was the most points they've scored all season.
Cash Clark was huge no matter where he played even without the win. On the mound, he struck out seven batters over six innings while giving up just one earned (and one unearned) run off eight hits. He has been nothing but reliable: he hasn't given up more than one earned run in three consecutive appearances. He was also solid in the batter's box, scoring two runs while getting on base in three of his five plate appearances. Those runs were his first of the season.
Clark wasn't the only one making solid contact as four players wound up with at least one hit. One of them was William Espinoza, who went 2-for-5 with three RBI and one double. That's the most RBI Espinoza has posted since back in March of 2024.
While Highland didn't have the best season last year (they finished 11-18), it's starting to look like those struggles are a thing of the past. They blew past Edison 12-1 on Tuesday. That 11 run margin sets a new team best for the Scots this season.
Like Taft, Highland also got a great game from a two-way player: Jacob Berumen. He struck out ten batters over 5.1 innings while giving up just one earned run off two hits. Berumen was also big at the plate, scoring two runs while going 2-for-4.
Taft's record now sits at 0-5. As for Highland, their record is now 5-1.
The batters for both teams will have to hit smart on Wednesday as both have some strikeout artists on the roster. Taft has been retiring batters left and right this season, having averaged 7.4 strikeouts per game. However, it's not like Highland struggles in that department as they've been averaging 11.3 strikeouts. Considering how easily both teams rack up Ks, the hitters on both teams better bring their A-game into this one.
Taft was able to grind out a solid win over Highland in their previous matchup back in February of 2016, winning 6-2. Does Taft have another victory up their sleeve, or will Highland turn the tables on them? We'll have the answer soon enough.
