Canyons Comes Back vs. Allan Hancock, Improves to 8-0

The College of the Canyons baseball team has already displayed a knack for the big win, and on Thursday the Cougars showed their ability to also win the close games, as COC pulled out a gritty 3-2 come-from-behind victory at Allan Hancock College.

The Cougars are now 8-0 on the season having won back-to-back one-run games in the process. 

On Tuesday, COC defeated visiting Orange Coast College 6-5 in 10 innings.

In the game against Allan Hancock the Cougars trailed 2-0 before finally getting on the board on the seventh inning. That's when Canyons catcher Anthony Lepre socked his team-leading third home run of the season to make it a 2-1 ballgame.

In the next inning freshman Chad Bible tied the game at 2-2 when his infield groundball had enough on it to score Jake Spurlin from third base. 

Lepre then promptly singled to left field to bring home Roy Verdejo for the go-ahead run at 3-2. The freshman backstop finished the game 2-for-4 with two RBIs.

Spurlin was 3-of-4 on the afternoon.

COC sophomore lefty Cy Scott started the game for head coach Chris Cota before giving way to freshman Chase Wheatcroft who pitched the final four frames.

Wheatcroft allowed just two hits while striking out three Bulldog batters. 

Scott was charged with two earned runs in his five innings of work, striking out four and walking three along the way.

Canyons won't play again until its road rematch with Orange Coast College on Thursday, Feb. 25. That game is scheduled to start at 2 p.m.