Cougars Lose 6-2 at Saddleback on Opening Day
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Canyons | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 1 |
|
Saddleback | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 1 | 0 | X | 6 | 12 | 3 |
By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director
MISSION VIEJO — The Cougars tied the game at 2-2 in the sixth but couldn't hold on as Saddleback College plated runs in its next two innings, handing the Cougars a 6-2 road loss on Opening Day.
Canyons (0-1) fell behind 2-0 after the Bobcats (1-0) pushed across runs in the first and fourth innings.
The Saddleback run in the fourth came unearned when an infield throwing error allowed a runner to get into scoring position. A few pitches later COC starter Gavino Rosales surrendered an RBI double to J.C. Allen.
In the fifth it was Colin Yeaman coming in to score for the Cougars on a fielder's choice that was followed by an infield error, putting the game at 2-1.
COC sophomore Andy Ambriz tied the game at 2-2 with an RBI groundout that brought home Alex Sepulveda in the sixth inning.
Rosales was lifted from the game before the fifth inning. He allowed two runs, one earned, on seven hits and struck out two Saddleback batters.
COC reliever Brooks Snyder (0-1) was charged with the loss after a tough 1 and 2/3 innings that resulted in three runs, two earned, for the Bobcats. The bulk of the damage came in the form of a two-run RBI from Jason Hefft that moved the game to 4-2. Hefft later came around to score on a passed ball, tacking on another run at 5-2.
Canyons couldn't get another runner home while Saddleback added an RBI-sacrifice fly in the seventh before the 6-2 final score.
Bobcats' starter Arthur Liu (1-0) earned the win after fanning nine batters in six frames. He allowed four hits and one earned run.
Top Performers
- Andy Ambriz — RBI
- Ryan Camacho — 1-for-2
- Gavino Rosales — 4 IP, 7 H, ER, 2 Ks
- Alex Sepulveda — 1-for-4, 2B, R
- Colin Yeaman — 1-for-3, BB, R
Upcoming Schedule
The Cougars return home to host Saddleback College at 1 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28 in the 2023 Home Opener.
Canyons will then welcome Consumnes River College for a two-game set Feb. 2-3 at Cougar Field. Thursday's contest gets underway at 1 p.m. with Friday's game slated for a 12 p.m. start time.
All three contests will be broadcast to fans free of charge on the Cougars Sports Network.
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.