No. 4 Canyons Splits Home Doubleheader with AVC

The No. 4 College of the Canyons softball team splits its afternoon doubleheaders vs. conference rival Antelope Valley College on Tuesday, with the Cougars winning the first game 7-5 before falling 7-6 in the second contest.

Canyons (21-5-1, 8-4) didn't have trouble scoring runs against AVC, but were unable to keep the Marauders bats in check. In allowing 12 runs on the day.

In the first game the Cougars scored three runs on three bases loaded walks to take a 3-1 advantage.

In the third inning a double steal attempt saw Jennifer Metcalf steal home for the Cougars to make it 4-1. Two batters later Julianna Carlos came around to score an unearned run after a throwing error by the AVC third baseman.

The Cougars then tacked on two more runs in the home half of the fifth with RBI singles from Emily Smith and Cheyenne Steward to make it 7-1.

AVC would then plate four runs in the seventh inning to make it a 7-4 final.

COC freshman pitched the full seven innings for head coach John Wismath, allowing five earned runs to go with five walks and three strikeouts while earning the win.

Game 2 saw more runs from the Marauders, as AVC appeared to find its rhythm by scoring a run in the first inning and two more in the second to take an early 3-0 lead.

Canyons then came storming back with three runs of its own after a two-RBI double by Metcalf and RBI single from Erica Esparza.

The Cougars looked to be back in control with a 6-3 heading into the sixth inning, until the Marauders were able to get to COC starter Milana Casillas and tie the game at 6-6.

With that momentum AVC came back to score the game-winning run in the top of the seventh inning on an RBI single surrendered by Russo, who relieved Casillas the inning before, to make it a 7-6 final score.

Canyons currently sits in second place in the Western State Conference, Blue Division.

The Cougars will next host L.A. Mission at 2:30 p.m. Thursday, April 2.