Cougs Start Conference Schedule 5-4 Over Citrus
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Canyons
|
1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 | 8 | 1 |
|
Citrus
|
0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 11 | 0 |
By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director
GLENDORA — College of the Canyons shrugged off back-to-back losses by hanging on for a 5-4 road win at Citrus College on Tuesday in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division opener.
Canyons (8-8, 1-0) stared the conference portion of its schedule in winning fashion after a pair of tough losses to Cypress College last week. COC moved to 4-3 on the road and will now play nine straight against WSC, South foes.
Charlie Rocca's first inning home run, his third of the season, put COC on the board early.
After Citrus (8-8, 0-1) tied the game in the second Jayden Steinhurst started the scoring in the third with an RBI double of his own. Evan Jaquez and Hunter Essang both drove home runs in the inning to put Canyons ahead 5-1. Essang's two-run double plated Jaquez and Steinhurst.
The Owls added another run in the seventh on a single up the middle to get closer at 5-2 and chase COC starter Joseph Jasso from the game.
Jasso (3-1) pitched six and 2/3 innings scattering eight hits and issuing two walks while being charged with two runs.
Jon Bahr pitched a scoreless inning of relief before handing the ball to Luke Lemmond. Lemmond worked the final out of the eighth but was tagged for two runs in the ninth.
Harish Balachondron was eventually called upon to get the final out and earned his first save in the process.
Top Performers
- Angelo Aleman — 2-for-4, R
- Joseph Jasso — W (3-1), 6.2 IP, 2 ER, 2 BB, 8 H, 7 K
- Evan Jaquez — 2-for-4, R, RBI
- Charlie Rocca — 1-for-4, HR, RBI, 2 R
- Jayden Steinhurst — 2-for-3, BB, 2B, RBI, R
Upcoming Schedule
Canyons continues its three-game series with Citrus at home Thursday, March 7. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. with that game set to be broadcast to fans via YouTube on the Cougars Sports Network.
The series vs. the Owls concludes Saturday, March 9 back in Glendora with a scheduled 1 p.m. start.
Gillespie Field Dedication
The COC Athletic Department will host a field dedication ceremony to unveil the recently named Mike Gillespie Field in honor of the legendary baseball coach's distinguished career.
The festivities begin at noon Saturday, March 16, with a pre-game luncheon in the Cougar Den followed by an on-field dedication ceremony beginning at 1:15 p.m. First pitch of the game between Bakersfield College and Canyons will follow at 2 p.m.
As part of the celebration Coach Gillespie's former players, staff members, coaching colleagues, family, friends and supporters are invited to attend the ceremony. Admission is free, with attendees asked to RSVP in advance here.
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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.
—Photo by Carla Sophia Velasco/COC Sports Information