Russo Named WSC Pitcher of the Year, Wissmath Coach of the Year

The College of the Canyons softball team dominated the Western State Conference (WSC), Blue Division throughout the regular season, and earlier this week the team was rewarded with 10 all-conference selections highlighted by Ashley Russo earning WSC Pitcher of the Year honors.

COC head coach John Wissmath was also named WSC, Blue Division Coach of the Year, after a season in which he led the Cougars to a 29-11 regular season record and 19-2 mark in conference play. Canyons clinched the program's 13th conference title, and sixth under Wissmath, earlier this month.

Russo, who was an All-WSC First Team selection as a freshman, put together a suburb sophomore campaign. Her 23 regular season wins led the conference, while her 130 strikeouts ranked fourth. The right-hander also posted a 2.97 ERA through 186 innings of work, which was good for fifth in the WSC. Russo tossed 21 complete games including seven shutouts to help pace the Cougars.

Earning All-WSC First Team honors for COC were sophomore first baseman Kiana Holder, freshman second baseman Sarah Wilson, sophomore third baseman Cheyenne Steward and sophomore outfielder Ariana Rea.

Holder led the Cougars in several offensive categories, batting a team-high .444 to go with six home runs and 44 RBIs. Of her team-high 55 hits, 17 were of the extra base variety.

Wilson also turned in a strong season, batting .387 with 34 RBIs and 33 runs scored. Her 13 stolen bases also tied for second on the team with fellow first-team selection Ariana Rea. 

Rea batted .350 on the year with 22 RBIs and 33 runs scored. 

Rounding out COC's first-team selections was Steward, who led the team with 17 stolen bases and 45 runs scored, while ranking second with a .369 batting average. She also recorded 15 extra base hits, including three home runs.

All-WSC Second Team selections included shortstop Gabrielle Padilla (.298 batting average, four home runs, 25 RBIs, 34 runs), Alejandra Navarro (.415 batting average, 12 RBIs, 13 runs) and Jennifer Metcalf (.330 batting average, three home runs, 19 RBIs, 29 runs). 

COC catchers Emily Smith (.306 batting average, seven RBIs and 19 runs) and Azmarheen Anderson (.343 batting average, four home runs, 15 RBIs) both earned Honorable Mention designations.

The Cougars will now wait to learn their postseason opponent, with the first round of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) SoCal Regional Playoffs to be held May 7-8.