Story and photo by Mari Kneisel/COC Sports Information 

College of the Canyons squared off with No. 15 Santiago Canyon College in a non-conference doubleheader at Whitten Field on Saturday, with Cougars scoring 10 runs in the finale to salvage a split of the two-game set. 

Canyons (15-8-1, 2-2) started the day with a narrow 5-3 loss in the opener. The slow start allowed Santiago Canyon (19-7, 9-3) to obtain an early lead in the third inning, creating an uphill battle for the Cougars the rest of the way. COC managed to push a few runs across, but it wasn't enough to ever retake a lead.

The Cougars finally found their stride in the second game. Santiago was first on the board, but Canyons quickly caught up and never let up, managing to power past the Hawks in convincing fashion at 10-2. Ashlynn Heck, Allyson Melgar and Julia Fuentes came up big for the Cougars, each clubbing home runs on the day. 

Santiago Canyon entered the game as the No. 15 ranked team in the state according to the most recent statewide coaches poll.

Game 1 (5-3 Santiago Canyon Victory)

A sluggish first couple innings gave way for SCC to pick up the first pair of runs in the third inning. Canyons responded in the bottom of the inning when Caitlyn Soto doubled to right field, allowing Memorie Muñoz to cut the lead in half at 2-1.

Santiago Canyon produced three more runs in the fourth to move ahead 5-1. 

Canyons managed to tack on two more runs in a last-gasp seventh on RBIs from Sofia Trujillo and Valery Ramirez. 

The 5-3 loss was charged to Samantha Flores (6-4) who allowed five runs on eight hits with six walks and three strikeouts. 

Top Performers

• Sofia Trujillo – 2-for-3, RBI
• Brianne Tall – 1-for-2, BB, R
• Caitlyn Soto – 1-for-3, 2B, R
• Alyssa Silva – 1-for-3, 3B, R
• Lisa Motz — 2-for-3, 2B

Game 2 (10-2 Canyons Victory)

Santiago Canyon claimed two runs in the first inning, but Melgar (9-4) was dominant in the circle, holding the Hawks at bay for the final six innings. 

RBIs from Melgar and Brianne Tall brought the game to 3-2 Canyons advantage after the first inning. 

Ashlynn Heck sent a ball over the fence in the third to make it a 4-2 game. Melgar added a three-run home run in the fifth. An RBI-single from Sabrina Englebrecht put that game at 8-2 for Canyons. 

Fuentes closed out the game with the third home run of the game, a two-run shot, that capped the run at 10-2. 

Melgar earned the win from the circle allowing two runs on seven hits and four walks, with two strikeouts. 

Top Performers

• Allyson Melgar – 3-for-3, HR, 2 R, 4 RBI / 6 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 Ks, HR
• Ashlynn Heck – 3-for-4, HR, 3 R, RBI
• Julia Fuentes – 3-for-3, HR, SB, 3 R, 2 RBI
• Brianne Tall – 2-for-3, 3B, 2B, R, RBI
• Alyssa Silva – 1-for-4, R

Upcoming Schedule

The Cougars are back to conference play on Tuesday, March 29 at L.A. Valley College starting at 2:30 p.m. COC then travels to Antelope Valley College on Thursday, March 31 for a 2:30 p.m. game time.  

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.