Cougars Close Out Spring Classic Tourney 11-3 Over East L.A.

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

SANTA MARIA — College of the Canyons completed its three-game run at the annual Allan Hancock College Spring Classic Tourney with an 11-3 victory over East L.A. College on Friday.

Canyons (10-15, 3-3) ended on a bright note after falling in its first two tourney matchups. The non-conference victory over East L.A. (8-17, 4-5) snapped a four-game losing streak for the Cougars.

COC plated four runs in the fifth inning and six more in the seventh to post a double-digit run total for the first time in four games.

Canyons broke things open on Michel Hogen's two-run double in the fifth then tacked on another run with Travis Van Ness' run-scoring base hit to move ahead 5-1. Ben Strutt scored the first run of the inning on a balk.

Hogen finished the game 2-for-4 with a walk and a team-high three RBIs. Strutt collected three hits and two walks while scoring a pair of runs.

Later, it was Kotaro Kuwatani doubling in the first run of the seventh. Reid Farrell took his turn with a two-run double that moved COC ahead at 8-2. Liam Ostrom's two-run triple combined with another RBI base hit from Hogen ended the scoring at 11-2.

Farrell finished 2-for-5 with two runs and a pair of RBIs. Ostrom was 1-for-2 with two walks, two runs and two RBIs.

East L.A. brought in a run in the home half of the eighth but was never able to get back in the game.

On the mound it was COC starter Tyler Hawn starting and pitching the first three innings. Hawn pitched well, allowing one run on one hit, but didn't factor into the decision.

Ricky Sturm was next to take the ball. He eventually earned the win after two innings of work that included one run on two hits and three walks, to go with one strikeout. The victory evened his season record to 2-2.

Colby Lipp was also effective in his relief appearance, allowing one run in his three innings of work. Wesley Yim tossed the final inning and allowed just one hit.

East L.A. starter Angelo Martinez (0-4) lasted four innings and suffered the loss after allowing four runs, three earned, on five hits and two walks. The Huskies bullpen was charged with seven runs.

The Cougars recorded seven extra-base hits in the game and swiped three bags. East L.A. committed a pair of errors in the game.

Canyons suffered an 11-0 loss to Merced College in the tourney's opening game on Wednesday. COC was then defeated 8-1 by El Camino College the following day.

The Cougars return to Western State Conference (WSC), South Division competition at 2 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, with a trip to Citrus College. The series shifts back to Mike Gillespie Field on Thursday, with a third game slated for Saturday, March 28, back at Citrus.

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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

—Photo by Carla Sophia Velasco/COC Sports Information