Canyons Shuts Out Citrus 7-0 to Snap Losing Streak

College of the Canyons starting pitcher Collin Dudley pitched seven and 2/3 innings of no-hit baseball on his way to a complete game 7-0 shut out victory over Citrus College on Tuesday, as the Cougars snapped a four-game losing streak.

A wind-aided, bloop single in the eighth inning broke up Dudley's no-hit performance. However, the freshman responded by striking out the next batter to end the inning.

In all, Dudley faced 30 batters, pitched nine innings, allowed no runs, two hits, struck out 10 and hit a batter in the fourth inning. Dudley was credited with his fourth win of the season.

Dudley's performance comes as part of a recent string of remarkable pitching performances for the freshman, in which he's pitched complete game shutouts in two of his last three outings. During that span, he's thrown a total of 27 2/3 innings while allowing only two earned runs. Good for a 0.65 ERA.

On the season, Dudley has put up impressive numbers. In 51 innings pitched, he has 39 strikeouts and a 1.41 ERA good for third in the Western State Conference (WSC).

Good pitching isn't all it takes to win games, of course, and head coach Chris Cota's lineup provided the young pitcher with more than enough offense to earn the win.

The Cougars took a 3-0 lead into the seventh inning, but were still looking for more.

In the seventh inning, hits by Chris Devery, Tyler Ryan and Cole Mears built the lead up to 7-0.

COC's No. 3 hitter, Jake Spurlin, had a big day for the Cougars, finishing 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and a stolen base.

Ryan went 3-for-4 including two doubles, two runs scored and two RBIs in the victory over the Owls.

The victory puts an end to COC's four-game losing skid, and gives Canyons overall record of 13-9 with a 6-4 record against WSC, South rivals.

The Cougars next travel to Citrus College at 2:30 p.m. on Thursday, March 26.