EST. 1971
CCCAA State Championships
1981, 1983, 1986
CCCAA State Runner-Up
1982, 1985
Conference Championships
1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2017
CCCAA Southern Califronia Regional Postseason Appearances
1973, 1974, 1975, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1982, 1983, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2003, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2022, 2023, 2024
2024
Schedule/Results | Roster | Statistics | News
College of the Canyons finished the 2024 season third in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division with a record of 11-10, closing out the season with an overall record of 20-22. The Cougars season ended with the program’s 29th post-season appearance, and third straight dating back to 2022, at the 3C2A SoCal Regionals vs. Palomar College. Canyons saw eight players receive WSC, South Division honors. Angelo Aleman and Jayden Steinhurst were named to the First-Team followed by Joseph Jasso, Domenik Cervantesand Evan Jaquez to the Second-Team. Hunter Essang, Charlie Rocca and Jake Schwartz were All-WSC honorable mention. Two Cougars received golden gloves awards, Jasso for his work on the mound and Schwartz for his proficiency at first base. From that squad, Aleman, Cervantes and Rocca have signed with four-year programs along with sophomore pitcher Tyler Biggs and sophomore shortstop Colin Yeaman. Canyons celebrated Head Coach Chris Cota’s 500th win in his 23rd season and the program and also unveiled a new name for its facility, Mike Gillespie Field named after longtime legendary head coach Mike Gillespie, who coached the Cougars for 16 seasons while winning three State Championships and 11 conference titles.
2023
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College of the Canyons played in the program’s 28th postseason appearance with a run that included playoff victories over Orange Coast College, Southwestern College and Grossmont College before falling to Saddleback College in the Southern California Regional Finals. COC finished the season with an overall record of 28-19 and took third in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division by going 13-9. Sophomore Andy Ambriz caught fire finishing the year with a .421 batting average while slugging .721. That included 56 runs, 68 RBIs, 12 home runs, 19 doubles and two triples. Ambriz was named the 2023 WSC Player of the Year seven Cougars earning all-WSC honors. Freshman shortstop Colin Yeaman and sophomore catcher Andrew Allanson were both named to the All-WSC First Team. Freshman Charlie Rocca was named All-WSC Second Team and sophomores Jovan Camacho, Gavino Rosales and freshman Jake Schwartz were All-WSC Honorable Mention selections. Canyon saw eight players move on to four-year programs at season’s end. Additionally, former Cougar standout Mikey Kane was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 17th round of the 2023 MLB First-Year Player Draft in July. Later in the summer former Cougar standout pitcher Jacob Lopez made his MLB debut for the Tampa Bay Rays.
2022
Schedule/Results | Roster | Statistics | News
College of the Canyons returned to action in 2022 after a prolonged layoff from the COVID-19 pandemic and played well enough to earn the program’s 27th postseason appearance, and first since the 2018 season. The Cougars were an even 22-22 during the regular season before entering the CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs as the No. 16 seed. COC was able to get past No. 17 Cerro Coso College in the play-in round, but dropped a three-game set to No. 2 Glendale College the following round. At season’s end Canyons saw eight players receive All-Western State Conference (WSC), South Division honors. Freshmen Tafton Hensley, Mikey Kane and Doyle Kanewere among those selected to receive All-WSC First-Team honors. Second-Team honorees for Canyons included freshmen catcher DJ Kougher and outfielder Ryan Camacho. Honorable mention selections included Alex Ballesteros, Andy Ambriz and Josh Yosfan. Head coach Chris Cota won his 450th career game in 2022, while improving his overall record to 468-349-5.
2021
College of the Canyons athletic programs did not compete during the 2020-21 season due to cancellations based on the COVID-19 pandemic.
2020
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College of the Canyons posted an overall record of 7-11-1 before having the remainder of its season cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis on March 13. When the season was halted, the Cougars were in the midst of a four-game win streak having played to a perfect 4-0 record vs. Western State Conference (WSC), South Division opponents to begin the first round of conference play. Other highlights included Canyons playing to an 11-11 tie vs. top ranked Cypress College on Feb. 27. In that contest, which was eventually called due to darkness, the Cougars battled back to tie the game twice in the final three innings to snap a five-game losing streak. COC scored double-digit run totals in six games, while posting a team batting average of .323. Canyons also scored 164 runs and hit 23 home runs to leads the conference in both categories, while ranking second with a .406 on-base percentage. COC sophomore Blake Mann led the state with seven home runs during the shortened 19-game season. Mann signed with St. Mary’s College after a season in which he also ranked second in the WSC in runs (22) and third in RBIs (23). Conference and statewide awards were not presented for the 2020 season.
2019
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College of the Canyons finished the season with a 21-18 overall record and a 12-8 mark in conference play to finish third in the Western State Conference (WSC), East Division. Despite not advancing to the postseason for the first time since 2015, the Cougars brought home an array of player awards. Canyons had 11 players earn All-WSC accolades with starting pitcher Brendan Henry, first baseman Felix Brandt, infielder Luke Chung and designated hitter Nick Henry earning First-Team honors. Henry was also named to the 2019 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Pacific Association Division (PAD) Southern California All-Region First Team and the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association (CCCBCA) Southern California All-State Team. He was also named an ABCA/PAD All-American. Henry, who split time between catcher and designated hitter, ranked third in the state with a .419 batting average. That mark was second in the Western State Conference (WSC). He also led the Cougars with seven home runs. His 65 total hits, 41 RBIs, and 40 runs each tied for the COC team lead. COC pitcher Alex Ravago, infielder Kyle Soberano, outfielder Max Mehlbaum and utility man Nate Duarte each earned All-WSC Second-Team status. Sophomore third baseman Tyler Erne, freshman outfielder Tyler Grodell and freshman relief pitcher Matt Serrano were named Honorable Mention. Additionally, Erne and Brendan Henry were both recognized with Gold Glove designations. Three former COC baseball players from the program's 2017 conference championship team were selected during the 2019 Major League Baseball first-year player draft. Included in the group were catcher Anthony Lepre (28th Round, Seattle Mariners), outfielder Cole Kleszcz (33rd Round, New York Mets), and right-handed pitcher Chase Wheatcroft (37th Round, Oakland Athletics).
2018
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College of the Canyons qualified for postseason play for a third straight year after finishing with an overall record of 28-14 and a 16-4 mark vs. conference opponents. Those results left the Cougars just one game back of conference rival Glendale College in the Western State Conference (WSC), East Division standings. The No. 10 seed Cougars then squared of vs. No. 9 Palomar College in a best-of-three series to open the CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs. Despite winning the opener, Canyons eventually dropped the series 2-1 to end its season. COC had 13 players recognized with All-WSC East Division honors including sophomore slugger Calvin Estrada, who was named Player of the Year, and sophomore southpaw Jacob Lopez who picked up Pitcher of the Year Honors. Lopez finished the season with an 9-2 record and state-leading 128 punch-outs after logging double-digit strikeout totals in six of his 14 starts. His 1.62 ERA across 88 and 2/3 innings of work also ranked fourth in California. He was named to the 2018 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/Rawlings Pacific Association Division (PAD) All-American Second Team; the ABCA/PAD Southern California All-Region First Team; and the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association (CCCBCA) Southern California All-State Team. Meanwhile, Estrada finished the regular season with a blistering .458 batting average to lead the state, and clubbed 13 home runs, with 43 RBIs, 47 runs and 11 stolen bases. He was named to both the ABCA/PAD Southern California All-Region Second Team and the CCCBCA Southern California All-State Team before committing to Long Beach State. Canyons also had two players from its roster selected in the 2018 Major League Baseball first-year player draft, with freshman All-WSC gold glove outfielder Corbin Williams (24th Round, Philadelphia Phillies) and Lopez (26th Round, San Francisco Giants) both signing professional contracts in the weeks that followed.
2017
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The College of the Canyons baseball program concluded the 2017 season with a 28-14 overall record and 17-3 mark in conference play to win the Western State Conference (WSC), East Division championship. The title was the program's first since 2009, and the fifth under COC head coach Chris Cota. The Cougars then went on to host Santa Ana College in a best-of-three series during the opening round of the California Community College Athletic Association (CCCAA) Southern California Regional Playoffs May 5-6 at Cougar Field. The Cougars also picked up an array of postseason awards, highlighted by a pair of All-American designations, three All-State and All-Region honorees, two Player of the Year distinctions and 10 All-Conference (WSC) selections. COC had 10 players selected to the 2017 All-Western State Conference (WSC), East Division team, including Player of the Year Cole Kleszcz and Pitcher of the Year Justin Dehn. Kleszcz was also named to the 2017 American Baseball Coaches Association (ABCA)/ Rawlings Pacific Association Division (PAD) All-American First Team; the ABCA/PAD Southern California All-Region First Team; and the California Community College Baseball Coaches Association (CCCBCA) Southern California All-State Team. In addition, Kleszcz was named the CCCBCA Southern California 'Big Stick' Award winner as the top offensive player in the region. Dehn was also a 2017 ABCA/PAD All-American Third Team selection, a CCCBCA Southern California All-State Team honoree, and was named to the ABCA/PAD Southern California All-Region First Team. Catcher Anthony Lepre was named a CCCBCA Southern California All-State team honoree and an ABCA/PAD Southern California All-Region First Team selection. COC head coach Chris Cota was named WSC, East Division Coach of the Year.
2016
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The College of the Canyons baseball program concluded the 2016 season with a 28-10 overall record and 15-6 mark in conference play to place third in the highly competitive Western State Conference (WSC), South Division. The Cougars finished two games behind conference champion Glendale College, and one game back of second place Bakersfield College, to clinch a trip to the postseason after a one-year hiatus in 2015. COC was later eliminated in the first round of the CCCAA SoCal Regional Playoffs by Chaffey College in a best-of-three series. The Cougars ended the regular season with the state-wide lead in nine offensive categories: hits (477), runs (337), batting average (.353), extra base hits (166), total bases (780), home runs (63), RBIs (305), on base percentage (.427) and slugging percentage (.577). Canyons also saw 13 players earn All-Western State Conference (WSC) honors, including seven First-Team honorees. Freshman catcher Anthony Lepre earned ABCA/Rawlings Pacific Association Division All-America First Team honors after batting .401 with 13 home runs and 47 RBIs. Lepre also earned selections to the 2016 CCCAA Southern California All-State and Southern California Pacific Association ABCA/Rawlings All-Region First Team. Sophomore infielder Colton Burns was named an ABCA/Rawlings Pacific Association Division All-America Third Team selection, after batting .406 with 30 RBIs and 50 runs. Burns was also picked up Southern California All-Region First Team and CCCAA Southern California All-State honors. Freshman Chad Bible was named a Southern California All-Region Second Team selection after a season in which he topped the state in both home runs (15) and RBIs (61). He batted an impressive .385 and scored 53 runs on the season. Bible also earned CCCAA Southern California All-State honors, and was named the 2016 'Big Stick' Award winner as the state's top offensive player.
2015
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The College of the Canyons baseball team concluded the 2015 campaign with a 19-17 overall record. The team’s 11-10 mark in conference play placed them fifth in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division. The Cougars began the regular season with a 12-5 record, including five straight victories to open up conference play. The five-game winning streak was the team’s longest of the season. Unfortunately for the Cougars would finish 7-12 down the stretch to miss the postseason. Head coach Chris Cota’s club did earn some individual accolades with a number of outstanding performances throughout the season. The Cougars had 10 players named to the All-WSC, South team, while three more earned gold glove awards. Freshman outfielder Roy Verdejo led the Western State Conference in both home runs (7) and RBIs (37). Infielder Colton Burns batted .362, primarily from the leadoff spot, to lead the Cougars in hitting. His .472 on-base percentage was second best in the conference. Pitcher J.C. Cloney led the team in games started (11), complete games (2), wins (7), ERA (2.40), strikeouts (64) and innings pitched (78.2). Cloney finished third in Western State Conference in strikeouts. Verdejo, Burns and Dylan Freyre all won gold glove awards.
2014
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The Cougars earned a fourth straight postseason appearance after completing a 19-17-1 regular season and 15-6 mark against Western State Conference opponents in 2014. Individual performances led the Cougars into the playoff picture, including 10 players who were named to All-Western State Conference, South Division. J.C. Cloney led the Cougars and was named the conference’s Pitcher of the Year. Three players were also awarded Golden Gloves. Cloney led the conference in wins (six) and strikeouts (56). He posted a 2.05 ERA against conference opponents and ranked second in the state with 89 strikeouts. His strikeout total was good for third most all-time for a COC pitcher. Freshman Roberto Ramos led the team in home runs (seven) and RBIs (31), while sophomore David Oppenheim led the team with a .377 batting average.
2013
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The most successful postseason run for College of the Canyons baseball since 2003 ended with the team’s heartbreaking 5-4 loss to Cypress College on the California Community College Athletic Association Southern California Super Regional at Saddleback College. The previous day, COC lost 7-0 to Saddleback, after shocking No. 4 San Bernardino Valley in the first round of the playoffs. The two losses knocked Canyons out of the double-elimination tournament. COC finished the season 24-16 after finishing second in the Western State Conference, South Division and the team garnered several conference awards. Those were highlighted by Cougar sophomore Alex Bishop winning Southern California All-American Player of the Year, All-Southern California Player of the Year and All-WSC South Player of the Year. In addition COC freshman infielder Chad DeLaGuerra was named a Southern California All-American and freshman first baseman Quincy Quintero was named All-Southern California. In all, seven players were named all-conference.
2012
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A late-season surge propelled the College of the Canyons baseball team into a one-game playoff for a spot into the CCCAA Southern California Regional Playoffs. The Cougars won seven of their last 10 conference games to reach the play-in game, but eventually lost that contest in a 16-inning thriller. Sophomore first baseman Jake Jelmini led the team in home runs (six) and hitting with a .379 batting average and was tied with freshman outfielder James Bonds in RBIs with 28. Sophomore pitcher Cory Jones led the pitching staff in wins (7) strikeouts (89) and in only 61 and 1/3 innings of work. He posted an impressive team-leading 2.64 ERA.
2011
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Chris Cota and his baseball team had a roller coaster season in 2011. The season started out strong with a win over Orange Coast College at the end of February, who at the time, was on a 14-game winning streak. Things were looking up for the Cougars, but the month of March spelled gloom for the team who went 7-6 in the month and fell to 5-6 in the conference. After a sub par performance in March, COC was able to regroup and the Cougars went 8-4 in April, including six consecutive conference wins to end the conference season, which pushed the team into the final spot in the Southern California Playoffs. After a thrilling couple of weeks that concluded with a 12-9 record in the conference and a second-place finish, the Cougars' season was cut short in a play-in game loss to Southwestern that eliminated the team from the playoffs. Shortstop Juan Perez was named the Western State Conference, South Division, Player of the Year, All-American Southern California, and eight other Cougars were named all-conference.
