Cougars Blank AVC 7-0 Behind Seven Strong From Lopez

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons lefthander Jacob Lopez recorded 12 strikeouts over seven near flawless innings and the Cougars pounded out 15 runs to blank visiting Antelope Valley College 7-0 at Cougar Field on Thursday.

Canyons (18-11, 7-3) evened its three game series vs. the Marauders after suffering an 8-0 loss to AVC (15-15, 3-7) on Tuesday.

Lopez (6-2) matched his season-high with the 12 Ks and now has 91 on the year, the top mark in the state. The Saugus High School product has recorded double-digit strikeout totals in three straight, and five of the last six, games to go with a conference-leading 1.97 ERA.

The Cougars opened up a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning with RBIs from Josh Arkin, Nick Henry and Alberto Lopez.

The following inning, it was Calvin Estrada launching his team-leading seventh home run of the year. Tyler Erne followed up with a two-run single that scored Eddie Rodriguez and Ivan Lomeli and the Cougars were in control 6-0.

Estrada, Erne, Lomeli and Rodriguez each recorded two hits in the game, while Arkin finished 3-for-4 with a double, two runs and an RBI.

Henry added another RBI in the seventh to make a 7-0 final score, finishing the game 2-for-4.

AVC starting pitcher Austin Grabbit (5-3) took the loss after allowing six runs on 11 hits.

The two teams will conclude the series at 1 p.m. Saturday, April 7 at Marauder Stadium.

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. 

—Photo by Jayme Thomas/COC Sports Information