Canyons Sees Six Earn All-WSC Honors, Melgar Named to All-SoCal Team

Story and photos by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information

College of the Canyons softball featured six All-Western State Conference, East Division honorees for the 2023 season, with sophomore standout Allyson Melgar also earning All-Southern California Region accolades.

Canyons sophomores Julia Fuentes and Ashlynn Heck were joined by Melgar in being named to the All-WSC First-Team.

Fuentes claimed the top spot in several categories for the Cougars throughout her 38 games. The right fielder was responsible for the greatest number of RBIs (34), hits (41), runs (33) and home runs (4), leading her to the highest batting average (.366) and slugging percentage (.598) for Canyons. 

Melgar, who also competed in 38 games, led the Cougars from the circle as well as the plate. The sophomore hurler pitched in 28 games, starting 21 of those, and finished the 2023 regular season with a 2.42 ERA. She struck out 74 batters while working 150 and 2/3 innings.

From the plate, Melgar saw 111 at bats and struck out only once, fabricating a .333 batting average and .532 slugging percentage. She had 37 hits, three home runs, 23 runs and brought in the second highest number of RBIs (30) for the Cougars. Melgar also produced the highest number of doubles (13). 

Her registry of success also earned her a selection to the CCCAA All-Southern California Region team, as chosen by the California Community College Fastpitch Coaches Association. 

Heck finished her sophomore season with a .319 batting average and .496 slugging percentage. The center fielder, for a second season in a row, led her team in triples (6), while bringing in 18 RBIs, one home run and 31 runs with 38 hits. Heck also worked for 10 stolen bases. 

COC sophomore Alyssa Silva and freshmen Schalyn Rhambo and Gigi Garcia were honored with All-WSC Second-Team selections. 

Silva starred at second base while procuring a .357 batting average and .480 slugging percentage. In her 33 games played, she brought in 20 RBIs while making her way around the bases for 21 runs. Silva had a home run, seven doubles, a triple and recorded 14 stolen bases, the second-highest total for the Cougars.

Rhambo led the squad with 15 stolen bases on the season. The left fielder and utility player, worked for a .322 batting average with a .448 slugging percentage in 33 appearances. Her 87 at-bats produced 22 runs with 13 RBIs on 28 hits. She had the second highest number of doubles (9), behind Melgar.  

Garcia commanded the Cougars from behind home plate in all 38 games while working for a .283 batting average and .404 slugging. Garcia saved numerous runs and scored 14 of her own, while bringing in 13 RBIs for the Cougars with 28 hits, six of which were doubles and three triples. 

No. 17 Canyons (23-15, 12-6) finished third in the WSC, with a collective .301 battering average.

The Cougars enter the CCCAA Southern California Regional Playoffs with a best-of-three away series vs. No. 9 Fullerton College beginning at 2 p.m. Friday, May 5.

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.