By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

MOORPARK — College of the Canyons scored a season-high 14 runs then looked to its bullpen the rest of the way, as the Cougars claimed a fifth straight win, this time downing Moorpark College 14-6.

Canyons (6-2) has scored 10 or more runs in three straight games and continues to hit at a prodigious rate, with at least 10 hits in every game of the win streak, and a combined 18 extra base hits.

On Thursday, it was Andy Ambriz and Aaron Ruvalcaba leading the charge with big home runs that led to an eight-run second inning for the Cougars.

Canyons had already opened up an early 5-0 lead in the first inning on run-scoring hits from Jason Schwartz and Ruvalcaba, but saw that lead shrink down to 5-3 after the Moorpark (4-7) lineup had its first crack.

Colin Yeaman doubled home a run to start the second inning barrage, then came around to score on a passed ball. Ruvalcaba's two-run jack, his first of the year, made it a 9-3 advantage for the Cougars.

After a pitching change from the Raiders, Canyons loaded the bases ahead of Ambriz who extended on one for a grand slam and 13-3 Cougars lead. The home run was Ambriz' second of the season which leads the club.

COC reliever Jon Bahr (1-0) earned the win after limiting Moorpark to a run on five hits with two walks over three innings on the mound. He also struck out two after entering the game to begin the fourth inning.

Xavier Stoker tossed two scoreless innings with two strikeouts before Schwartz came to the mound to pitch a scoreless ninth.

Moorpark starter Shane Alderete (0-4) lasted just 1 and 1/3 innings and was tagged for nine runs on eight hits and a walk. The Raiders used eight pitchers in the game with the majority of the damage coming in the first two innings.

Ruvalcaba scored the Cougars' final run in the eighth when he came in on an infield error for the 14-6 final score.

Top Performers

• Andy Ambriz – 3-for-5, GS, 2B, 2 R, 4 RBI
• Jon Bahr — W (1-0), 3 IP, 5 H, 2 BB, ER, 2 K
• Aaron Ruvalcaba — 2-for-5, HR, 2B, BB, 2 R, 4 RBI
• Jake Schwartz — 2-for-6, 2 R, 2 RBI / IP
• Xavier Stoker — 2 IP, BB, 2 K

Upcoming Schedule

Canyons now hosts Santa Ana College at 1 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 18 in the first of a two-game set. That game will be broadcast to fans free of charge on the Cougars Sports Network.

The series continues Tuesday, Feb. 21 with a road tilt in Santa Ana. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

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 courtesy of Kyle Kawamoto/COC Sports Information