Cougars Pounce on Golden West in 18-2 Victory

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons knocked out 21 hits, including four home runs, and scored in every inning to put together an 18-2 thumping of visiting Golden West College at Copugar Field on Wednesday.

The victory over the Rustlers (9-6) represented a bounce-back of sorts for Canyons (9-7), which had previously dropped back-to-back games to Orange Coast College. The game also featured the reemergence of the long ball for COC.

After hitting just two home runs over the first 10 games to begin the season, Canyons has since gone yard 11 times in its last six games to tie with Glendale College for the Western State Conference (WSC) lead.

Sophomore Blake Doremus hit his first two home runs of the year on Wednesday as part of a 3-for-5 day that resulted in six RBIs and two runs scored.

Doremus was joined by teammates Calvin Estrada and Ryan Mendoza on the home run trot. Estrada finished 4-for-5 with four RBIs, two runs and a walk. Mendoza was 2-for-3 with a double, three RBIs, three runs and walk.

Ivan Lomeli and Senituli Taufahema were both tough outs on Wednesday. Lomeli had a career-high five hits to go with four runs and two RBIs, and Taufahema finished 4-for-5 with a run and an RBI.

The offensive output overshadowed another superb start from sophomore left-hander Jacob Lopez, who improved to 3-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.75 while striking out 10 batters for the second straight game. Lopez now leads the state with 48 strikeouts.

Canyons will have a short break before WSC play gets underway vs. Barstow College on Thursday, March 8.

Stay up to date on all this season's action by following the College of the Canyons Athletic department on social media at @COCathletics on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Photos by Tim Strong/COC Sports Information