Canyons Splits Doubleheader vs. Santa Barbara

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons split its home doubleheader vs. Santa Barbara City College on Friday, falling 7-1 in the first contest before getting a 5-4 advantage in a weather-shortened victory to end the day.

Canyons (4-8) had lost to visiting Riverside City College in its last outing ahead of the SBCC matchup. 

In the opener the Vaqueros (8-6) limited COC to a sixth-inning run that saw Paige Pikor cross home plate on a wild pitch. Canyons had just three hits in the contest behind starter Lexy Angulo (3-4) who took the loss. 

Angulo went the full seven innings and was charged with six earned runs on 11 hits and walk. She also recorded three strikeouts. SBCC starter Alena Johnson (2-1) earned the win after recording five strikeouts against two walks.

Santa Barbara did the bulk of its damage in a three-run seventh inning that that included a two-run home run from Gracie Verdugo.

In the second contest Canyons bounced back with runs in each of the first three innings to take a 5-0 lead.

Ryan Shepherd came around to score on a passed ball for the first run. In the second it was Nichole Muro achieving the same feat, this time on a wild pitch.

Kate Garcia lifted off on a two-run home run in the third inning. That was followed by Lily Baggot's run-scoring double that plated Hayley Neale.

SBCC made its comeback bid with a four-run outburst in the top of the fourth that saw the Vaqueros first score on a bases-loaded walk before two more runs came home on a passed ball. The final score of the inning came via a sacrifice fly.

Canyons looked poised to score again with a runner on second and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning before the game was called due to weather.

COC is back in action Thursday, March 7 at Antelope Valley College in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division opener.

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. 

—Photos by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information