Wissmath Wins 400th In 3-2 Walk-Off Over LAMC

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director 

Lexy Angulo worked a seventh-inning, bases-loaded walk to bring home Brooke Petretti for walk-off 3-2 victory over visiting L.A. Mission College, giving head coach John Wissmath his 400th career win with the program.

Canyons (13-16, 5-3) scored a run in each of the last three innings to secure an important Western State Conference (WSC), South Division victory. COC now sits in a tie for third behind conferencing leading L.A. Mission (19-9, 5-2). 

COC held a 2-0 lead heading into the final frame before the Eagles clawed back to tie the game and seemingly put the Lady Cougars on their heels. 

Petretti started the next inning with a leadoff walk before stealing second and later advancing to third on a wild pitch. Ryan Shepherd continued things with a walk and steal of her own. With one away in the inning Gigi Garcia worked another walk to load the bases. Finally, Angulo finished the job by working a count and bringing home Petretti for the final score. 

That sequence pinned a loss on LAMC reliever Vivian Littles (11-7) who tossed just 1/3 of an inning but walked four batters. 

Meanwhile, in the home circle it was Nichole Muro putting up another stellar outing to earn the win. Muro (7-9) scattered 10 hits with one walk but was able to remain unscathed until the final inning. Three of those hits came in the Eagles' seventh-inning comeback bid. 

Muro also made an offensive impact with an RBI double in the fifth that plated pinch-runner Alina Alcaraz for a 1-0 advantage. 

The following inning it was Kate Garcia getting hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to force in another COC runner at 2-0. 

LAMC's two RBI singles in the seventh briefly tied the game.

Wissmath's milestone 400th victory comes in his 17th year and 16th season at the helm of the program. During that span he has posted an overall record of 400-240-7 while claiming conference titles in 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2016 and 2018. 

The Lady Cougars have also qualified for the postseason on 12 occasions under Wissmath (2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022, 2023). COC has its 2020 season cut short and did not compete in 2021 due to cancellations brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Top Performers

• Lexy Angulo – 0-for-2, BB, RBI, SB
• Gigi Garcia – 2-for-3, BB, R, SB
• Nichole Muro – W (7-9), 7 IP, 10 H, BB, 2 K / 1-for-3, 2B, RBI
• Hayley Neale – 1-for-1, 2 BB
• Brooke Petretti – 0-for-3, BB, R (game winner)

Upcoming Schedule

Canyons continues conference play Thursday, April 11 at Glendale College. First pitch is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.

COC will then play back-to-back road doubleheaders vs. Moorpark College on Friday, April 12 and Fullerton College on Monday, April 15.

The Lady Cougars return home Tuesday, April 16 vs. L.A. Valley College for another 2:30 p.m. first pitch. Prior to first pitch the COC Athletic Department will host a dedication ceremony to unveil the Michele Jenkins Softball Team Room in honor of the longtime board member and ardent softball program supporter's nearly 40 years of service to the district.

The dedication ceremony begins at 1:15 p.m. inside the team room located at Whitten Field and will be followed by pre-game snacks and refreshments leading up to game time. As part of the celebration current and former college faculty and staff, educational and business colleagues, family, friends, and supporters are all invited to attend the ceremony. Attendees are asked to RSVP in advance by calling (661) 362-3742.

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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.  

—Photo by Carla Sophia Velasco/COC Sports Information