Cougars Drop 4-3 Road Affair to Host El Camino

A day after dropping its season opener in the ninth inning, the Cougars were outdone once again as host El Camino College scored two runs in the seventh and held off a late rally to defeat COC 4-3 on Saturday.

Looking to bounce back after Friday's home loss to the Warriors, Canyons (0-2) scored three runs in a big second inning that included an RBI triple from right fielder Chris May and a solo home run from first baseman James Scanlan to help COC claim a 3-1 advantage.

Freshman pitcher Jacob Lopez finished with six strikeouts and allowed just one run in his four innings of work. The southpaw surrendered two hits and walked three before giving way to reliever Connor Dreyer. 

Dreyer would pitch the next two frames before allowing a run in the bottom of the sixth to make it a 3-2 affair.

In the seventh inning the Warriors were able to plate two runs when El Camino center fielder Noah Barber tripled off reliever Damien Balboa to make it 4-3. 

Canyons had other opportunities to score but simply couldn't convert on its opportunities. 

In the top of the ninth, with runners on the corners and two outs, sophomore catcher Anthony Lepre grounded into a fielder's choice to end the game.

The Cougars also had scoring chances in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings, but couldn't find a way to bring the runners home. 

COC recorded 11 hits in the game, with Cole Kleszcz, May and Scanlan finishing with two apiece.

Balboa (0-1) was charged with the loss.

Canyons next returns home to host Ventura College (2-1) on Tuesday at Cougar Field. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.