5-5-08 Thirteen Cougars Named All-Conference; Brian Hernandez Named Player Of The Year
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - Thirteen players from the 2008 Western State Conference Champion College of the Canyons baseball team were named All-Conference, while Cougar second baseman Brian Hernandez – who set multiple Cougar hitting records – was named Western State Conference Player of the Year. Head coach Chris Cota also earned WSC Coach of the Year honors.
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5-5-08 Cougars Earn No. 8 Seed in Southern California Baseball Playoffs
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The College of the Canyons baseball team was named the No. 8 seed and will host No. 9 Cypress College for a best-of-three series in round one of the Southern California Baseball Playoffs, as announced Sunday.
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4-10-08 Cougars Sparked By A Flurry Of Runs In Fourth Inning
Valley box score
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The Cougars found themselves in a familiar position on Thursday afternoon. COC, who has been playing from behind in the last two-of-three games, saw visiting Valley College take a 3-0 lead after 3.5 innings, but a 8-run surge by Canyons put the Cougars back in control of the game, bringing home COC’s seventh consecutive win, 10-6. The spurt was started by leadoff hitter Brian Hernandez who singled to left field. Catcher Luis Perez brought in Hernandez with a RBI single and Dean Benavidez’s double RBI helped bring the Cougars within one run of Valley. The tying run was brought in by center fielder Brian Charnock, who was 2-of-4 and had a team-high three RBIs on the afternoon, with a 2 RBI single into left field. The Cougars would continue to roll as Tyreace House hit a 2 RBI homerun, Dan Alvarado singled, Hernandez hit the second homerun of the inning and John Hay singled. Mike McCravey pitched for seven innings, recording a season and team high 10 strikeouts, giving up six hits and three runs (two earned). McCravey improves to 8-2, 6-0 in Western State Conference match-ups. Hernandez finished the game going 3-of-5 and two RBIs. Perez also had a homerun and a double and was 3-of-4 with two RBIs. The only sour point in the game, was the Cougars gave up a season-high four homers to Valley. COC returns to action on Saturday, April 12 for a 1 p.m. match-up.
4-3-08 Cougs Increase Lead Over Second-Place Bakersfield With Win Against Pierce
Pierce box score
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Third baseman Kyle Harris and center fielder went 3-of-5 on Thursday afternoon at Cougar Field, as the team swept the season series against Pierce with a 9-2 win. The Cougars are now 4-0 against Pierce College this season. With the win, the Cougars increase their hold on first place as Bakersfield lost to Citrus on Thursday. COC scored one run in the first three frames, giving the Cougars a 3-1 advantage. Starting pitcher Mike McCravey would give up more run in the fourth. Lead off Brian Hernandez started the scoring in the fifth for Canyons. Hernandez earned a walk followed by a Harris single to left field. Two wild pitches later, Hernandez crossed the plate. John Hay followed with a single to the shortstop, driving in Harris. Two singles proceeded from Luis Perez and Julian Cruz, but a Dean Benavidez fielders choice took Cruz out at second. Charnock doubled to right with two outs, bringing in Perez and Benavidez for the fourth score of the inning. McCravey earned his sixth win after throwing for six innings, allowing two earned runs and seven hits. Anthony DiGiacomo pitched two innings, giving up one earned run. China McCarney closed the game for the Cougars, giving up one hit after facing three batters. The Cougars return to action on Saturday, April 5 as they host Citrus at 1 p.m.
3-29-08 Cougars Hold Off Glendale College, 9-6
Glendale box score
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – Tyreace House, Kyle Harris and Dean Benavidez lit up Glendale starting pitcher Chris Turner for three home runs in route to a 9-6 win over the Vaqueros on Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field. The Cougars, who only lost one game in the month of March, retain sole control of first place in the Western State Conference, South Division, after Bakersfield lost to Valley, 4-3. Glendale started the game with confidence, scoring on the second at bat on a double. The Vaqueros lead would be short lived as COC rallied back in the second with a flurry of runs. Benavidez took a hit from Turner bringing in Harris, and loading the bases. Brian Charnock hit an RBI single and John Contreraz earned a walk, scoring the last two runs of the inning. The Cougars continued to score in every inning except the seventh, including single homers from Harris, House and Benavidez in the third, fourth and fifth innings, respectively. Glendale came close in the seventh inning closing in on the Cougars lead, 8-6, but pitchers Kody Kurowski, who gave up two hits and struck out two in two innings of action, and Anthony DiGiacomo, who earned the save after holding the Vaqueros hit less in the ninth and striking out one, gave the Cougars the win. Brian Hernandez was 3-of-5 on the afternoon. COC returns to action on Tuesday, April 1 as they travel to Pierce College for a 2:30 p.m. game.
3-15-08 Cougars Grabe Sole Control Of First Place In Conference
Bakersfield box score
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The College of the Canyons baseball team continued its hot play with a 6-2 victory over visiting Bakersfield College Saturday — extending the current streak to nine games in a row, and 11 of the last 12. The Cougars (13-7, 10-1) came into the game having logged double digit run totals in each of their last five games. But it was again the performance of freshman Caleb Deville, who pitched his second complete game of the season to get the win and improve to 4-1 on the season, which carried the Cougars. After surrendering a home run to the second batter of the game, Deville settled down and controlled the Bakersfield College (13-7, 9-2) lineup the rest of the way, allowing just two earned runs and striking out five, while walking none. Despite Deville’s performance the Cougars trailed 2-0 early on, before putting together a three-run fifth inning by capitalizing on a series of Bakersfield errors. With one out and center fielder Drew Peterson roaming the base paths, shortstop Dean Benavidez reached on an error to bring Peterson home and put COC on the board at 2-1. Two batters later left fielder House Tyreac again reached on an error to bring Benavidez around to score and tie the game. After Tyreac stole second base and advanced to third on yet another Bakersfield error, catcher Luis Perez promptly brought him home with an RBI single to give the Cougars their first lead at 3-2. Later in the game right fielder John Hay blasted off on his fourth and fifth home runs of the season for the eventual 6-2 final score and Cougar victory. The Cougars will next play in the three-day Easter Tourney in Santa Maria.
3-11-08 Cougars Take Care Of Mission In First Inning
Mission box score
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - They played the full nine innings, but just one would have been enough as the College of the Canyons baseball team jumped out to a huge first inning lead and never looked back, beating Los Angeles Mission College 13-2 on Tuesday. Winners of seven straight, and nine of the last 10 games, the Cougars received another solid outing from lefty Kody Kurowski who allowed just two runs on four hits — while striking out eight and walking none to earn his fourth win of the season. A combination of COC hitting and Mission College miscues got things started in the first inning, as the Cougars capitalized on four infield errors and crossed the plate six times in the process. Second baseman Brian Hernandez was first to draw blood with an RBI single that scored leadoff man Tyreace House. Later center fielder Drew Peterson knocked in another run for the final score of the inning. After Kurowski surrendered a run in the top of the fourth, COC immediately answered back with another offensive onslaught. Hernandez quickly picked up where he left off in the first inning by doubling in another run. Two batters later, right fielder John Hay ripped a three run double to left field, scoring Hernandez, third baseman Kyle Harris and designated hitter John Contreraz. First baseman Julian Cruz later added an RBI single of his own to make it a five run inning, and 12-1 Cougar lead. Mission College would score again in the sixth on a solo homerun, but it wasn’t nearly enough as College of the Canyons held on for the eventual 13-2 victory.
3-8-08 Charnock And Perez Record First Home Runs Of The Season, Charnock Gets A Grand Slam
West L.A. box score
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – College of the Canyons baseball team collected 12 runs off of nine hits as the Cougars held off West L.A. College, 12-6, on Saturday afternoon at Cougar Field. Sophomore designated hitter Brian Charnock had his best game to date, going 3-of-4 with a season-high four RBIs, including a grand slam and a double. With the win, the Cougars improve to 10-7, 7-1 in Western State Conference South, and win their sixth consecutive game. The game opened with solo home runs by both teams in their respective innings. For Canyons, catcher Luis Perez hit his first homer of the season. Both teams would remain scoreless until the third inning as West L.A. went up 2-1 after the top half of the third frame. A single by Charnock and two walks by the West L.A. pitcher that walked Perez and left fielder Tyreace House loaded the bases. Up next for the Cougars was third baseman Kyle Harris, who reached third on a miscue by the West L.A. third baseman, scoring Charnock, House and Perez. Another error in the same inning would score two more runs and a balk by the West L.A. pitcher scored the final three runs of the inning. West L.A. would make a final run in the ninth inning that would see them score off an error by pitcher Aaron Mizak and a single RBI. Caleb Deville pitched six innings to earn his third win. Deville gave up two runs (two earned) on four hits and a season high six strikeouts. The Cougars remain at home as they host Mission College on Tuesday, March 11 in a 2 p.m. match-up.
3-4-08 COC Survives Valley's Ninth Inning Surge
Valley box score
VAN NUYS, Calif. – The College of the Canyons baseball team slipped by L.A. Valley College on Tuesday afternoon as the Monarchs had a late game surge, scoring three runs in the bottom of the ninth inning, but COC held them at bay winning their fourth consecutive game, 11-5. COC (8-7, 5-1) improves its win streak to four, including a two sweeps against Valley and Pierce. Left fielder Tyreace House and catcher Luis Perez finished 5-of-3 on the afternoon with three singles and one RBI and two singles respectively. Sophomore Kody Kurowski (2-0), making his second start of the season, allowed two runs (all earned) on eight hits in six innings. Canyons opened the game notching two runs in the second and three in the third, to take a 5-1 lead. In the top of the fourth second baseman Brian Hernandez tripled to right field, scoring two of the Cougars three runs in the inning. COC added one run in the eighth from a Kyle Harris sacrifice fly to centerfield. The Cougars would put up three more runs in the final inning to secure the Cougars win. COC returns to the field on Thursday, March 6 as they travel to West L.A. for a 2 p.m. match-up.
2-29-08 Deville Pitches Complete Game, Lifts Cougars Past Valley
Valley box score
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The College of the Canyons baseball team received a stellar performance from starting pitcher Caleb Deville Saturday, as COC topped visiting L.A. Valley College 4-1 to win back-to-back games for just the second time this season. The Cougars (7-7, 4-1), winners in four of their last five games, took an early lead over the Monarchs (9-8, 2-3) then rode the arm of Deville who went the full nine innings to pick up the win, while scattering seven hits, walking one and striking out three batters along the way. With the win, Deville — who just four days earlier was tagged for two-run ninth inning walk off home run in a loss at Citrus College — improved his season record to 1-1 and lowered his ERA to 2.41 runs a game. COC got things going in the first inning when second baseman Brian Hernandez left the yard with a home run that also knocked in leadoff man Tyreace House for 2-0 Cougar advantage. Hernandez’s three home runs and eight RBIs so far this season are tops among Cougar batters. In the fifth inning House again contributed, reaching on a fielder’s choice that scored shortstop Dean Benavidez, and later coming around to score on an RBI single by designated hitter John Contreraz to make it a 4-0 game. House, who finished the game 2 for 4 with two runs and an RBI, leads the Cougars with 11 runs scored so far this season. Back on the mound Deville didn’t surrender a run until L.A. Valley center fielder Angel Nunez spoiled the shutout bid in the top on the ninth inning with a solo home run and Valley’s only run of the game. The Cougars will look to continue their hot play in a rematch against the Monarchs Tuesday, March 4, at 2 p.m. at L.A. Valley College.
2-28-08 COC Follows Hernandez's Lead, Even Season Series At 1-All With Citrus
Citrus box score
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. - The College of the Canyons baseball team had their revenge over visiting Citrus College 9-4 Thursday, as the Cougars out-slugged the visiting Owls to even the season series at one game apiece. Looking to bounce back from a heartbreaking defeat against Citrus (7-9, 1-3) earlier in the week, COC (6-7, 3-1) trailed for much of the game until a four run seventh inning put Citrus behind for good. COC was first to score when first baseman Julian Cruz singled in a run in the bottom of the second inning. Citrus answered back with two runs to begin the next inning, but the Cougars quickly made it a 2-2 ball game in the third inning on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Kyle Harris. After Citrus took a 3-2 lead in the fourth inning, the Cougar bats went quiet until second baseman Brian Hernandez homered to start the bottom of the sixth inning. COC would add another run on a Dean Benavidez RBI-single to make it a 4-3 Cougar advantage heading into the seventh. Citrus again answered back with an RBI-single, making it a 4-4 game. But the Cougars exploded during the bottom half of the inning, plating four runs on six hits — including RBI-singles from Harris, right fielder John Hay, Cruz and Benavidez. Another sac-fly by Harris in the eighth made it a 9-4 final score. The Cougars were again led at the plate by Hernandez, who finished 3 for 4 with a home run and two runs scored and Harris who finished 1 for 3 with two sacrifices and three RBIs. Cruz and Benavidez each chipped in with two RBIs, while designated hitter John Contreraz scored three runs. On the mound COC pitcher Aaron Mizak (1-0) recorded the win, going four innings and surrendering just one run while striking out three and walking one to close out the game. Lefty Mike McCravey (1-1) started the game and lasted five innings, giving up three runs (one earned) while walking four batters and striking out five. COC and Citrus College will reconvene the season series with a pair of games in early April. College of the Canyons will next host Los Angeles Valley College Saturday, March 1 at 1 p.m. at COC.
2-26-08 Cougars Lose In The Ninth Inning To Citrus
Citrus box score
GLENDORA, Calif. - The College of the Canyons baseball team lost to Citrus College in heart-breaking fashion Tuesday after a ninth inning walk-off home run by Citrus sealed the Cougars’ fate 7-5. COC opened up a flurry of scoring for both teams in the top of the third inning, eventually plating three runs after a two RBI Kyle Harris double. But Citrus came storming back with two runs in the bottom of the inning to make a 3-2 ballgame. In the fourth, COC shortstop Dean Benavidez knocked in a run to extend the lead at 4-2. But after another Citrus run in the bottom of the fourth made it a 4-3 score, the Owls continued their attack in the sixth inning, eventually taking a 5-4 lead on a combination of Cougar miscues. Neither team scored again until COC tied the game at 5-5 in the top half of the ninth on a Brian Hernandez RBI double that boosted the Cougars’ hopes of extra innings. But it was not to be, as later that inning Citrus third baseman Kevin Park ended the game with a two-run home run to make it a Citrus College victory. The Cougars were led offensively by Harris, who finished 1 for 4 with two RBIs and a walk and Hernandez who was 3 for 4 with one RBI. Despite facing just two batters pitcher Caleb Deville (0-1) took the loss, after replacing Nick Streit with one man on and no outs in the ninth. Pitcher China McCarney saw the majority of the time on the mound, lasting three innings and giving up two runs (one unearned), walking two and striking out one.
2-21-08 Canyons Wins Conference Opener Against Pierce
Pierce box score
SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The College of the Canyons baseball team out hit rival Pierce College 11-7 to win its Western State Conference opener, 6-3, on Thursday afternoon at Cougar Field. The Cougars split the season series at 2-all in 2007, losing their final game of the season to Pierce, 15-3, giving the Brahma’s sole possession of first place. COC and Pierce exchanged runs in the first inning, but COC broke away in the third with a Julian Cruz RBI single that put the Cougars up, 2-1. Pierce would score one run each in the fourth and fifth innings, but COC would gather two scores in the fourth, one in the fifth and a Brian Hernandez solo home run in the bottom of the sixth to close out the game. Hernandez led the team in the win, going 3-of-4 with one single, one double, one homerun and a RBI. On the mound, relief pitcher Caleb Deville recorded his first save of the year, pitching three innings and only giving up one hit. Left-hander Mike McCravey evened his record at 2-2 with the win. McCravey threw for six innings and gave up three runs (all earned) on six hits and three strikeouts. The Cougars will hit the road as they travel to Pierce on Saturday, Feb. 23 for a 1 p.m. game.
2-12-08 Cougars Drop Three-Run Lead With Grand Slam In The Bottom of the Eighth
Orange Coast box score
COSTA MESA, Calif. - The College of the Canyons gave up a grand slam to Orange Coast in the bottom of the eighth inning, losing a three-run lead the Cougars had held onto up to then. COC scored three runs in the seventh inning, from a John Hay double and Luis Perez tallied a sacrafice that gave COC a 7-3 lead. The Cougars, who had kept the Pirates at bay most of the day, came roaring back in the bottom of the eighth when Orange Coast's Cory Olson hit a home run to left center that bounced off the wall, but not the way the Cougars would have liked, clearing the bases and giving OCC a one-run lead. Perez had 3 RBIs in the loss and a triple. John Contreraz, John Hay and Harris also recorded doubles in the game.
2-2-08 COC Splits Games Against Mt. SAC
Mt. SAC box score (game one)
Mt. SAC box score (game two)
WALNUT, Calif. - The Cougar baseball team recorded its first victory of the season on Saturday afternoon at Mazmanian Field, 8-7, over Mt. SAC, but dropped the second game of the double header, 9-6. In the first contest, COC scored the first three runs of the game in the bottom of the first when Brian Hernandez and John Hay hit RBI singles and a passed ball by Mt. SAC turned into a three-run lead. The Cougars would score three more runs in the next two innings, but the Mounties would respond and go up 7-6 in the seventh. Both teams remained scoreless in the eighth, but COC was able to load the bases in the ninth inning as two players were walked and Brian Hernandez hit his second double of the game. Dean Benavidez would score on a Mt. SAC error to tie up the game and Julian Cruz hit a game-winning RBI single, to give COC the win. On the mound, Caleb Deville would get the win after Kody Kurowski was pulled after giving up nine hits and six runs. Kurowski struck out six and walked four in 25 at bats. Deville, who is now 1-0, struck out three and gave up two hits in 4.1 innings. Cruz led the team with four hits and two RBIs, while Hernandez record three hits and one RBI.
In the following game, Mt. SAC took an early one-run lead, 2-1, and the two teams exchanged scores in the fourth, fifth and sixth innings, but the Mounties would score three more runs in the seventh and eight to secure the win. On the mound, Anthony DiGiacomo recorded the loss after pitching five innings and giving up eight hits and five runs in 22 at bats. Hay hit a homerun in the fourth inning and Kyle Harris, Hernandez, Benavidez and Brian Charnock all recorded doubles in the loss. Charnock and Benavidez led the team with two hits and one RBI, and Hernandez had a team-high two RBIs.
1-31-08 Cougars Set To Open Season With Strong Group Of Sophomores
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