Canyons Get Back to Winning Ways in 6-2 Win at Long Beach

LONG BEACH, Calif. — Four runs in the top of the eighth inning broke the 2-2 deadlock for College of the Canyons against Long Beach City College in a 6-2 road victory in eight innings on Thursday afternoon.

The Cougars were anchored by an impressive pitching performance by starter Ashley Russo. Russo pitched all eight innings on the way to her 10th win of the season —  while also snapping COC's three-game losing streak.

Russo surrendered seven hits, two runs, one earned run and four walks in the complete game victory.

With COC down 1-0 in the fourth inning, the Cougars took advantage of a Long Beach error in the field. Jennifer Metcalf scored the Cougars' first run on the miscue.

Later in the inning, leadoff hitter Cheyenne Steward hit a sacrifice fly scoring Amber Evans. The Cougars led 2-1.

After Long Beach tied the game in the fifth inning, both teams squandered base runners in the sixth and seventh innings.

The Cougars then unleashed a four-run eighth inning via a two-run double from Milana Casillas, and RBI singles by Kaitlyn Shreves and Steward to give COC a 6-2 lead.

Steward went 1-for-3 with two RBIs, a sacrifice fly and a run scored. The leadoff hitter now has 33 RBIs on the season for head coach Jon Wissmath's squad.

The victory brings COC's record to 23-8-1.

COC's next game takes them on the road to face Santa Monica College in a Tuesday afternoon doubleheader.