No. 13 Cougars Shock No. 4 San Bernardino Valley In First Round of Playoffs
The No. 13 College of the Canyons baseball team defeated No. 4 San Bernardino Valley College 2-0 on Friday and Saturday in the opening round of the California Community College Athletic Association Southern California Regional Playoffs in a best-of-three series.
Super Regional Bracket (Site B)
SAN BERNARDINO, Calif. – The No. 13 College of the Canyons baseball team defeated No. 4 San Bernardino Valley College 2-0 on Friday and Saturday in the opening round of the California Community College Athletic Association Southern California Regional Playoffs in a best-of-three series. Canyons, who came in as the underdog, handled the Wolverines 7-0 in Friday's game and 3-2 in the second game on Saturday.
COC will now travel to the Super Regionals, May 10-12, which will be hosted by the top two Southern California seeds left following Saturday's playoff action. The teams will be reseeded and sent to either location for a double elimination tournament.
This marks the second time that College of the Canyons has advanced to the Super Regionals under 13-year head coach, Chris Cota.
In the first game, COC's pitcher Ryan Cruz threw a complete game, helping the Cougars beat the Wolverines 7-0 on Friday afternoon. Cruz (7-1) gave up four hits in the win and struckout 10 batters, while walking four. COC's offense also did its part, notching 16 hits, and had three players who turned in three hits on the day. Catcher Alex Bishop went 3-for-5 with a double and three RBIs, while right fielder Kamran Young went 3-for-5 with two RBIs.
In Saturday's game, COC used a three-run sixth inning to take a one-run lead over the Wolverines, coupled with ace pitching from Icezack Flemming, to take down San Bernardino Valley 3-2 and eliminate the Wolverines from the playoffs. After seeing SBVC take a 2-0 lead after five innings, Canyons loaded the bases after a error and drawing a walk. Bishop scored on a balk, followed by two more runs coming in off a Kamran Young sacrifice and an Ivan Vela double. It was enough for COC, as Flemming held the Wolverines scoreless for the final two innings. No one on the COC team had a multi-hit day, but Vela, Bishop, Trey Williams and Corey Sims each turned in one hit.
Fresno City College will play host to this year's baseball state championships, being held May 17-19.