No. 15 Canyons Gets Swept by No. 3 Santa Ana

No. 15 College of the Canyons dropped its fourth straight game Saturday, as host No. 3 Santa Ana College outlasted the Cougars 13-9 to sweep the two-game series.

Canyons (7-8) scored a run in the top of the eighth to take a one-run lead at 8-7, before the Dons (14-2) answered right back with a two-out six-run rally to seize the momentum, and the victory. 

COC scored first on a sacrifice fly by freshman Calvin Estrada that scored Cole Kleszcz, but turned around and surrendered three runs to the Dons in the bottom of that inning.

The Cougars responded with two runs in the top of the third to tie it up at 3-3 with Anthony Lepre and Estrada both registering RBIs.

Estrada finished the game 2-for-3 with two runs, two RBIs and a walk. 

COC's biggest output came in the fifth inning, as the Cougars plated three runs to take a 6-4 lead on RBIs from Chris May, Kris Keach and Wes Felber. May and Keach both finished the game 2-for-5.

Canyons added another in the top of the sixth on a sacrifice bunt, but the Dons responded quickly adding three runs in the bottom of the inning to tie the game.

The Cougars regained the lead once again in the top of the eighth after a walk and single up the middle by freshman Anthony Medina.

After the big six-run rally by the Dons, COC added one more run in the top of the ninth, but it wasn't enough. 

Six members of head coach Chris Cota's club recorded multiple hits, with the lineup also drawing four walks on the day.

COC starting pitcher Chase Wheatcroft pitched five innings, giving up six hits, four earned runs and striking out one while walking six to take the no decision. 

Reliever Jarrett Poh (1-2) took the loss after being hit for two runs in his one and 1/3 inning of work. 

The Cougars will return to action on Thursday, March 9, with a road date at Victor Valley College. First pitch is at 2 pm.