No.15 Canyons Can't Keep Up With No. 2 Orange Coast

No 15 College of the Canyons took a 1-0 first inning lead, but was jolted by a six-run third from No. 2 Orange Coast College that set the Pirates up for an eventual 11-3 home win.

Canyons (7-5) received a solo home run from sophomore catcher Anthony Lepre to get the scoring started, and later put together a two-run seventh inning, but failed to do much more.

Freshmen Ivan Lomeli and Senituli Taufahema each recorded RBIs for the Cougars, as the lineup combined for nine hits and one walk on the day.

COC starter Damien Balboa (1-2) had a tough outing on the mound, allowing six earned runs in his two and 1/3 innings.

The Pirates (12-2) did the majority of their damage in the home half of the third, highlighted by a three-run home run that chased Balboa from the game.

COC freshman reliever Jarrett Poh was also charged for a run in that inning, his first of three earned runs on the day. Poh and fellow reliever Cole Bygum each pitched two and 1/3 innings.

Bygum also allowed an earned run before giving the ball to freshman Matt Boyce for the final inning of work.

These two teams will now return to Cougar Field for the second game of a two-game set, to be played at 2 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 28.

—Story and photos by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information