COS Splits Doubleheader Against Monterey Peninsula 

Visalia, CA – The No. 14 College of the Sequoias softball team (11-4) split Saturday's doubleheader against Monterey Peninsula College (9-6), falling 8-5 in the opener before bouncing back with a 6-1 victory in the second game. 

"We had a tough first game, but I was proud of how we responded," head coach Cori Janelli said. "We cleaned up our mistakes, got some key hits, and Taylor [Hastin] gave us another strong outing in game two." 

Game 1: MPC 8, COS 5 

Despite out-hitting Monterey Peninsula 12-8, the Giants didn't capitalize on scoring opportunities and saw the Lobos take control late with a five-run seventh inning. 

Taylor Hastin (Tulare Union HS) put the Giants on the board in the first with a two-run double, followed by an RBI single from Shelby Somavia (Redwood HS) to give the Giants an early 3-1 lead. After Monterey Peninsula tied the game in the fifth, Hastin's sacrifice fly put Sequoias back in front 4-3. 

However, Monterey Peninsula's bats got hot in the seventh, highlighted by a three-run double from Johana Alonzo, giving the Lobos an 8-4 lead. The Giants got one run back in the bottom half on a single from Somavia but couldn't complete the comeback. 

"We had our chances," Janelli said. "Give credit to Monterey; they capitalized when needed." 

Game 2: COS 6, MPC 1 

Sequoias responded in game two, led by another stellar outing from Taylor Hastin (Tulare Union HS), who struck out seven and allowed just two hits in a complete-game win. 

The Giants took control in the second inning when Shelby Somavia delivered a two-run double to put them ahead 2-1. Nayzeth Gonzalez (Hanford HS) added an RBI single in the third, and Isabella Ortega (Dinuba HS) drove in two more with a pair of hits as COS pulled away. 

"We controlled the second game with solid pitching, good defense, and timely hitting," Janelli said. "That's the formula." 

Upcoming Games

College of the Sequoias returns to action Friday, February 28, when they host College of the Siskiyous at 10:00 AM and College of San Mateo at 2:00 PM. Siskiyous and San Mateo will also face off at 12:00 PM. 

The Giants will then open Central Valley Conference (CVC) play on Tuesday, March 4, with a home doubleheader against Fresno City at 1:00 PM & 3:00 PM. 

Stay updated on Sequoias softball and the rest of College of the Sequoias' Athletics at COSGiants.com.