Cougar Alumni 2007      Alex Lyons      University of San Francisco The Cougar’s starting centerfielder during the 2007 season. Led the team in stolen bases with 31 while hitting .304. The essential model “student-athlete’ while at TC; maintained a 3.80 grade point average while at Taft College. A high school graduate of Timpanogos, Utah in 2005. 2007      Daniel Bennett      University of Southern Illinois at Edwardsville Starting pitcher during the 2007 season for the Cougar’s. Led the team in wins (5), innings pitched (88), games started (15), complete games (1), and strike outs (63). A graduate of Klamath Union High School in Klamath Falls, Oregon in 2005. 2007      Chase Blackwood      Valdosta State University (Georgia) A two-year starter for the Cougars behind the plate. Made the fall California Community College Fall All Star game. Led the team in homeruns (5) in 2007. A graduate of Taft Union High School in 2005. 2007      Tyson Davis      Utah Valley State College A two-year starter for the Cougar’s. Played all three infield positions while at TC (2B, SS, 3B). Hit 283 his sophomore year at TC. Made honorable mention All-CVC his freshman year, 2006. A graduate from American Fork High School in Utah in 2005. 2007      Glen Haenelt      New Mexico Highlands University The Cougars starting first baseman last year after transferring from Allan Hancock College. Led the team in batting (.376) and slugging pct. (.560). A graduate of Liberty High School in Bakersfield, California in 2005. 2007     C.T. Twisselman     West Texas A&M A two-year starter for the Cougars where he played outfield, third base, and second base. Led the team in runs scored, 30 and swiped 20 bases during the 2007 season. A graduate from Taft Union High School in 2005. 2007     Chris Wedel     William-Penn University A reliever his freshman year at Taft, in 2007 he anchored the pitching staff along with Daniel Bennett. Second on the staff in innings pitched with 76. His older brother Jeremy is the Cougar’s pitching coach. A 2003 graduate from Wasco High School in California.   2006      Josh Herback-South      CSU-Northridge A second team all CVC pitcher during the spring of 2006, Josh was in the top-ten in the state in innings pitched (103) and games started (16). His complete game win at Fresno City College in April 2006 was one of the best pitching performances in recent Taft College baseball history. He signed during the early signing period in November 2005. 2006      Owen Van Noy      College of the Ozarks A two-year starter for the Cougars at shortstop, he signed during the early signing period in November 2005. 2006      Matt Bezzant      Southern Utah University A two-year starting catcher. Made the NorCal fall All-Star game in 2005. Lead the Cougars in home runs (8) and rbi (39) his freshman year. 2006      Matt Jankowski      Central Methodist University A starting pitcher his sophomore year at Taft. Ranked in the top-20 in innings pitched (80) his sophomore season at Taft College. 2006      Jimmy Whitworth      University of Southern Colorado reserve outfielder his freshman year at Taft College, he became the closer for Taft College his sophomore year. He led the team in saves (5) in 2006. 2005     Kyle Kasper     Utah Valley State College A starting pitcher for the 2005 Cougar baseball team and a relief pitcher in 2004. A native of Riverton, Utah who excelled on the field and in the classroom while at Taft College. One of the hardest workers to ever wear the "black & gold."   2005     Anthony Reed     Cal State University, Northridge A 2003 graduate of North High School in Bakersfield, Anthony was a unanimous All-CVC outfielder. He was top five in the state in batting average (.439), on-base pct. (.527), slugging pct. (.748), triples (6), and stolen bases (25 for 25). In 2005 he was an All-American. 2005     Thomas Lees     Lewis-Clark State College A product of Edmonton, Alberta, Thomas was an honorable mention CVC utility player. Thomas played all 3 outfield positions, first baseball, and pitcher. 2005     Eddie Wheeldon     Lewis-Clark State College A 2003 graduate of Taft Union High School in Taft. Eddie lead the Cougars in 2005 in innings pitched (75), strikeouts (75), and wins (5). 2005     Jeff Mason     Wayne State University A product of Calgary, Alberta in Canada. Jeff was a starter for the Cougars in left field. He left Taft College after his freshman year to attend Wayne State in Nebraska.   2004     Brian Conradi     Sacramento State University A 2002 graduate of Liberty High School in Bakersfield, Brian was an All-CVC shortstop for the Cougars. Brian led the team in numerous offensive categories. 2004     Brian Hedman     University of Utah A 2002 graduate of Taylorsville High School in Taylorsville, Utah. He was member of the 2002 Utah 5A state high school championship team. Brian served as a reliever and spot starter for the Cougars during his two years in Taft. 2004     Tyler Wright     BIOLA University A 2002 graduate of Liberty High School in Bakersfield. He was a 2nd team All-CVC first baseman. Tyler lead the team in batting average and on-base pct. his sophomore season. 2004     Steve Kittrell     Menlo College A 2002 graduate of Highland High School in Bakersfield. Steve played a number of positions for the Cougars in his two years at Taft College (3B, SS, 2B, & OF). 2004     Kyle Curtis     University of Lethbridge A product of Edmonton, Alberta in Canada. Kyle was a two year starter for the Cougars in right field.   2003     Jason Stuart     Friends University From Port Orchard, Washington, pitched for the Cougars primarily as a  relief pitcher. 2003     John Stevens       Cal-State University, Los Angeles From Pahrump, Nevada, played catcher for Cougars after a “red-shirt”  2002 season. 2003     Brad Cline    Friends University From Bellingham, Washington, played first base and outfield for the Cougars.   2002     Justin Clift    Northwest Missouri State University A 2000 graduate from Bonanza High School in Las Vegas.   Made the All-CVC as a 3rd baseman his freshman year at Taft.  2002     Justin Thurman   Friends University A 2000 graduate from Las Vegas High School.  Played 1st base and DH for the Cougars during his career at Taft College. 2002     Cody Hunter     Friends University From Salt Lake City, Utah.  Played center field for the Cougars during his two year stint at Taft College.   2001     Ty Harbaugh    Northwest Missouri State University From Las Vegas, Nevada, a two year starting pitcher for the Cougars. 2001     Eric Fagen     Cal-State University, Stanislaus From Washington, a two-year starting left handed pitcher for the Cougars. Here is a short description of Cougar players who signed professional baseball contracts: Allan Simpson (RHP) Allan is a true success story.  He was recruited out of Cheyenne High School in Las Vegas, Nevada by former coach and mentor, Tony Thompson.  Allan was drafted in the 8th round by the Seattle Mariners after his sophomore year at TC (1997).  He played at Lancaster during the 2000 season in the California League and has just completed the 2006 season with Nashville, the AAA affiliate for the Milwaukie Brewers. Recent news - Simpson Traded to Cincinnati Reds Saturday April 9, 2005 Allan Simpson on the 25-man opening roster for the Rockies Monday, April 4, 2005 Allan Simpson called up to Colorado Rockies Monday, July 26, 2004 David Harriman (2000) A product of British Columbia, Canada. David transferred to Armstrong State in Georgia.  He was drafted by the Oakland A's as a catcher and played three years in the A's organization Ron Coomer (class of 1986) see the article from the local Taft Midway Driller newspaper Kevin Van DeBrake (Inf)  Signed as a free agent with the Los Angeles Dodgers in 1990.  From Selah Washington.  Kevin is now the Head Baseball Coach at West Valley High School in Yakima, Washington. Kevin Johnson (OF)  Signed in 1988 with the Montreal Expos and played two years of  professional baseball.  From San Luis Obispo, California. Chris Keim (LHP)   Drafted after freshman year at TC (23rd round); signed with the Cincinnati Reds after his sophomore year; played 2 years of professional baseball.  Chris is now a chiropractor. Ken Harris (OF)   Drafted  by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 15th round after his sophomore year.  Ken played 2 years of professional baseball.  From   Snohomish, Washington. Agustin Gonzalez   Signed with the Cincinnati Reds after his freshman year at TC (1989).   Played 2 years of professional baseball.  From Orosi, California. Donny Harrel (C)   Drafted in the 18th round by the Kansas City Royals after his sophomore year at TC (1990).  A shoulder injury ended his career after 2 years.  Assistant baseball coach at the University of Washington in Seattle.  From North Bend, Oregon. Jason Kummerfeldt (RHP) Signed with the Cincinnati Reds in 1992 and played 5 years of  professional baseball.  Now owns his own company in hometown of Billings, Montana. Skye Leibee (LHP)  Drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 27th round after his sophomore year at TC (1992), and played 2 years of professional baseball.  Now is a police officer in Visalia, California.  From Taft, California. Jeffrey Newkirk (OF)  Signed a pro contract with the Chicago White Sox and played 2 years of professional baseball. Mike McDougal (1B/RHP) Drafted in the 31st round by the St. Louis Cardinals after his freshman season at TC (1994) as a 1st baseman.  Now a pitcher, Mike is in AAA with the Baltimore Orioles.  From Las Vegas, Nevada. Troy Ormonde (RHP)  Drafted in the 29th round by the Chicago Cubs after his freshman season at TC (1994).  He played 2 years of professional baseball.  From Las Vegas, Nevada. Aaron Hee (LHP)   Drafted in the 50th round by the New York Mets after his sophomore year at  TC (1998).  Played at Pittsfield in the New York-Penn League in 2000.  From Las Vegas, Nevada. Jerome Robinson, signed as a free agent and played two years in the Cincinnati Reds organization.