Baseball Falls to Fullerton, 6-4

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The College of the Canyons dropped a 6-4 decision to Fullerton College on Tuesday at Cougar Field. The Cougars dropped to 3-6 and Fullerton improved to 7-3 on the season.

The Cougars and Hornets were tied up 4-4 after the sixth inning, but Fullerton used a two-run eighth inning to earn the victory.

In the eighth, Fullerton's outfielder Dakota Wix reached first on an error, before the Cougars allowed him to steal home two batters later. From there, catcher Troy Prasertsit hit a RBI single to left field allowing another Hornet to score, and take a 6-4 lead over Canyons.

The Cougars threatened in the bottom half of the ninth, putting two runners on with two outs, however relief pitcher Austin Sweet and his defense held off COC's final batter, Nick Vigo.

Jose Haros went 2-for-4 with a double, a run and a RBI, while Taylor ready was 2-of-4 with a double and a run.

Sophomore Ryan Cruz (0-2) took the loss after allowing six runs (five earned) on 10 hits in the first 7.2 innings. Sophomore Ryan Paramo tossed 1.1 innings and gave up one hit and walked one player.

Fullerton got on the board first, plating three runs in the top of the second to take a 3-0 lead that lasted until the bottom of the third inning, when the Cougars pushed three runs across to tie up the score 3-3.

After Haros reached second on a double to left center to open the inning, and Ready moved him to third on a single, Vigo brought Haros in with a RBI single to give the Cougar's their first run of the inning. From there, Vigo stole second, allowing enough time for Ready to cross the plate for COC's second score. Vigo was the last Cougar to score after a wild pitch from the Fullerton hurler.

Fullerton added another run in the top of the sixth on a home run, but Canyons responded in the bottom half of the inning with a RBI single from Haros.

Canyons will travel to Orange Coast College on Wednesday, Feb. 19 for a 2 p.m. match up.