Cougars take 2 in slugfest
Head coach John Wissmath and the COC softball team scored a staggering 35 runs in the team's two, five-inning victories on Saturday, with the Cougars using the offensive onslaught to improve to 3-1-1 on the season.
Canyons started the weekend by defeating host L.A. Harbor 15-2 in the first game of an afternoon doubleheader.
COC shortstop Cheyenne Steward set the tone early, as the freshman finished the day 5-for-5 with four runs scored. Sophomore Kaitlyn Shreves, batting in the second spot, took advantage of the opportunity by totaling five RBIs on a 3-for-5 day at the plate.
Freshman pitcher Kaitlyn Reed earned the win for COC, going the entire five innings and surrendering both Harbor runs.
Reed would also go on to start, and win, COC's second game that day, as the Cougars outlasted College of the Desert 20-10.
Perhaps encouraged by its hot hitting earlier in the day, Canyons stormed out of the gates yet again against Desert. Steward finished that game 3-for-3 with two doubles — for a combined 8-for-8 performance in COC's two games.
On the season, Steward is batting .578 to lead the Cougars.
Canyons centerfielder Erika Esparza finished the game 3-for-4 with a grand slam and four key RBIs, while right fielder Jennifer Metcalf was 3-for-3 and slugged two home runs of her own.
The Cougars will next travel to Cerritos College at 2 p.m. on Friday.