Baseball Uses Seven-Run, Third Inning To Get Past Antelope Valley

SANTA CLARITA, Calif. – The College of the Canyons baseball team scored seven runs on six hits in the bottom of the third frame to post an 8-4 victory over Antelope Valley on Tuesday afternoon at Cougar Field.

The Cougars only notched two hits through the first two innings off Antelope Valley's starter, before exploding for seven hits and six runs in the third.

Antelope Valley put a run up on the scoreboard in the first inning after a home run, but the lead would be short lived.

Trailing 1-0 in the bottom of the third, sophomore center fielder Nick Vigo opened the inning with a double, for his first hit of the inning. Following an error by the Marauders that put shortstop Jose Haros on first, left fielder David Oppenheim doubled to bring Vigo across the plate. On the next at bat, first baseman Roberto Ramos slammed a three-RBI double to clear the bases and take a 4-1 lead.

The next two COC batters made it on base, leaving a Cougar on first and second with one out. Austin Cole moved both runners across the plate after a double and Vigo hit his second double of the inning to give the Cougars a 7-1 advantage.

After adding a run in the fourth inning, the Marauders tried a comeback in the sixth with two runs on two hits, but starting pitcher Chad Bennett struck out AVC's batter for the third out.

Dylan Freyre padded the team's lead in the bottom of the sixth after a two-out home run to give the Cougars an 8-4 lead.

Oppenheim accounted for much of the Cougar's offense, going 3-of-5 with a double and RBI. Ramos had a three RBI afternoon and finished the day 2-of-4 with a double and home run.

Starter Bennett improved to 1-2, going 6.0 innings and allowing eight hits and two earned runs, while striking out four. Ryan Paramo finished out the game to earn his second save of the year.

COC will travel to Antelope Valley College for a 2:30 p.m. game on Thursday, March 27.