Canyons Avenges Loss 12-4 Over Riverside City

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons avenged its previous loss to Riverside City College with a shortened 12-4 victory in six innings on Saturday at Whitten Field. 

Canyons (5-9) lost to Riverside (7-12) back on Feb. 29. The two-game series was originally set to be a home doubleheader for COC but had to be rescheduled, and broken into two single games, due to inclement weather on the original date. 

The Lady Cougars have now won two of its last three games with the 12-run output representing the most runs scored for the squad since a 16-1 road win at Ventura College back on Feb. 27. 

COC freshman Nichole Muro led the way at the plate and in the circle, tossing the full six innings and allowing four runs, three earned, on six hits and a walk. Muro (2-4) took the win while recording three strikeouts along the way. Offensively, Muro finished 1-for-2 with a pair of walks, two runs scored and four stolen bases, including two of home plate. 

Elsewhere in the lineup Kate Garcia, Gigi Garcia, Lexy Angulo and Paige Pikor all recorded multi-hit efforts. 

Canyons also combined to draw nine walks in the game while going 12-of-13 in stolen base attempts. Muro's four stolen bags led the way ahead of three from Nylah Beba and two each from Ryan Shepherd and Kate Garcia. 

COC held an early 3-1 advantage headed into the bottom of the fourth inning then tacked on four more with a combination of strategic base running and run-scoring hits from both GiGi Garcia and Kate Garcia.

The Tigers got back in the game at 7-4 after answering back with a three-run inning of its own.

After Muro stole home for a second time in the fifth to move COC ahead 8-4 the Lady Cougars ended things early with another four-run output in the sixth. That barrage featured RBIs from Angulo and Baggot. Baggot later came around to score on an infield error for the 12-4 final. 

Samantha Sizemore (2-8) took the loss and was charged with 12 runs on 10 hits while issuing nine walks alongside three strikeouts. 

Top Performers 

• Lily Baggot – 1-for-3, BB, 2B, R, 2 RBI, SB
• Gigi Garcia – 2-for-3, BB, 3B, 2 R, RBI, SB
• Kate Garcia – 2-for-3, BB, 2B, 2 R, RBI, 2 SB
• Nichole Muro – 1-for-2, 2 BB, 2 R, 4 SB / W (2-4), 6 IP, 3 ER, BB, 3 K
• Paige Pikor – 2-for-4, 2B, R, RBI

Upcoming Schedule

Canyons will next face Chaffey College at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 12 at Whitten Field. That game will be broadcast to fans on the Cougars Sports Network.

The Lady Cougars then return to conference play on Thursday, March 14 at L.A. Mission College. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

The busy schedule continues Saturday, March 16 at Santiago Canyon College with a road doubleheader. Game times are set for noon and 2 p.m.

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. 

—Photo by Carla Sophia Velasco/COC Sports Information