Cougars Have One Get Away 5-4 at Cypress

By Mari Knesiel/COC Sports Information

CYPRESS — College of the Canyons went toe to toe with Cypress in the second meeting of their home-away series on Thursday, losing 5-4 as an infield error in the ninth aided in the Chargers victory.

Canyons (6-9) was the first to push across runs in the top of the fourth when Doyle Kane singled to center brining Mikey Kane home for a 1-0 game. Steven Gonzalez joined Doyle Kane on the baspaths with a walk, allowing Andy Ambriz to bring them both home with a double to center field that put the game at 3-0.

Cypress (8-8) responded immediately in the bottom of the fifth with a couple singles and a home run from Mario Tostado, bringing the game to a 3-3 tie. 

Doyle Kane put the Cougars ahead again in the top of the fifth with an RBI sac fly that brought Jovan Comacho home and put COC back on top 4-3.

Once again, the Chargers answered back in the bottom of the 6th as Dean Tiogo grounded out to second brining home Nick Mascaro for a 4-4 score. 

Canyons and Cypress tightened up pitching in the next couple innings with both staffs shutting down the opposing lineups.

With one out in the top of the ninth, COC built some momentum but quickly had it stifled when Mikey Kane flied out to deep right field and Alex Ballesteros attempted to score on the play but was thrown out at home plate.  

The Cougar error in the bottom of the inning helped Cypress take the lead and end the game at 5-4.

Scott Bauman opened the game for the Cougars and pitched four innings giving up three runs on five hits, including a home run and a walk. 

Dylan Jacobs relieved Bauman during the fourth inning. COC head Coach Chris Cota went to the bullpen three more times before the end of the game.

Canyons pitcher Brandon Whiting (0-1) was charged with the loss, having been charged with one unearned run on one hit and two batters walked. Whiting left the game with two runners on when was relieved by Xavier Stoker before the run-scoring sequence in the ninth. 

Canyons Top Performers

• Doyle Kane — 2-for-3, sac fly, R, 2 RBI
• Andy Ambriz —2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI
• Alex Ballesteros — 1-for-3, BB
• Mikey Kane — 1-for-4, 2B, sac fly, R
• Dylan Jacobs — 1 2/3 innings, 2 hits, K

Upcoming Schedule 

Canyons will now begin Western State Conference (WSC), South Division play at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 8, at LA Valley. The series will continue at Cougar Field Thursday, March 10 and conclude back at LAVC on Saturday, March 12.

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 Kyle Kawamoto/COC Sports Information