Canyons Concludes Shortened Series vs. Cosumnes with 3-0 Win

For the second time in as many games the College of the Canyons baseball team was forced to play a contest over the course of two days, with the Cougars finalizing a 3-0 win vs. Cosumnes River College on Saturday.

Canyons (3-3) began the second of a three-game series vs. the Hawks on Friday at Cougar Field, before that contest had to be delayed in the bottom of the fourth inning due to inclement weather.

The rain delay came on the heels of Thursday's series opener vs. the Hawks having been delayed in the eighth inning due to darkness. That game eventually played to a 12-7 final early Friday afternoon, before first pitch of the second game at 1 p.m. 

Canyons was batting with one on and one out in the bottom of the fourth when umpires called both teams off the field. 

With Cougar Field still too soggy for game action on Saturday morning, the two teams were forced to resume action on the turf field located at Lou Herwaldt Stadium on the campus of The Master's University in nearby Newhall.

When action finally resumed, freshman designated hitter Blake Doremus drew a one-out walk and eventually scored when freshman shortstop Ivan Lomelli singled in a run to break the scoreless tie.

In the fifth inning, the Cougars were able to manufacture an unearned run after freshman Anthony Medina doubled and came around to score two batters later on an infield error by the Hawks. 

Later in the inning Doremus singled in another run to give COC the 3-0 lead. Doremus finished the game 1-for-2 with a run, an RBI and two walks.

Lomelli and catcher Anthony Lepre each recorded two hits in the game.

COC starter Chase Wheatcroft started the game and looked sharp in the early going, but was unable to continue after the day-long rain delay. The sophomore tossed four innings, giving up one walk and three hits, while striking out six.

Freshman lefty Damien Balboa (1-1) took the hill to resume action on Saturday, and pitched well throughout his four innings of work. Balboa struck out four and issued two walks. 

Cougar freshman reliever Connor Dreyer was called upon to pitch the ninth, recording his first save of the season after inducing a double play to end the game.

COC and Cosumnes attempted to finish their three-game series later Saturday afternoon, with that game eventually called in the bottom of the fourth inning due to inclement weather. The contest has officially been cancelled with no plans for a scheduled makeup date.

Canyons will next host East L.A. College at 2 p.m. Tuesday, February 14, at Cougar Field.