Canyons Scores Early and Often in 20-10 Win Over Roadrunners

Perhaps encouraged by its hot hitting earlier in the day, Canyons stormed out of the gates for the second time in as many games, this time defeating College of the Desert 20-10 at host Harbor College on Friday.

By posting 20 runs in just five innings of play, the Cougars scored a staggering total of 35 runs in the team's two, five-inning victories on Saturday. The Cougars used the offensive onslaught to improve to 3-1-1 on the season.

Earlier in the day COC defeated L.A. Harbor 15-2.

Coming off her 5-for-5 effort in the early game, shortstop Cheyenne Steward finished the second game 3-for-3 with two doubles, two runs and an RBI  — for a combined 8-for-8 performance in COC's two games.

On the season, Steward is batting .578 to lead the Cougars.

COC scored seven runs in the first inning and five more in the third to again set the tone vs. Desert. In all, COC head coach John Wissmath's lineup scored in eight of its 10 innigs played on Friday. 

Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Reed — who earned the win for COC in the first game — would start, and win, her second game of the day vs. Desert. Reed pitched the full five innings, and surrendered 10 runs, just three earned, in the contest.

Canyons center fielder Erica Esparza finished the game 3-for-4 with a grand slam and four key RBIs, while right fielder Jennifer Metcalf was 3-for-3 and slugged two home runs of her own, knocking in six runs in the process. Emily Smith finished 1-for-3 with three RBIs on a bases-clearing double.

Kaitlyn Shreves jwas 2-for-4 with three RBIs to finish with a total of five hits and eight RBIs on the day.

The Cougars will next travel to Cerritos College at 2 p.m. on Friday, Feb. 20.