Cougars Take Series Opener 6-5 Over Bakersfield Following Three-Run Rally

College of the Canyons baseball players in white uniforms with “Cougars” across the chest crowd together at the entrance of a dugout, celebrating a play. At the center, COC baseball player Michael Hogen wearing jersey number 23, with short light-brown hair, a mustache, and black eye paint under both eyes, looks energized as teammates surround him with raised hands for high-fives. Several players wear navy caps and some have colorful batting gloves, including bright pink and neon green accents. One player with the number 9 on his back stands to the right, partially turned away. In the background, a chain-link fence separates the field from empty bleachers, where a single spectator in a white hat sits watching. The mood is upbeat and triumphant.
Video Box Score
April 1, 2026

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

College of the Canyons rallied for three runs in the seventh to take its series opener 6-5 over Bakersfield College on Tuesday at Mike Gillespie Field.

Canyons (11-18, 4-6) manufactured a pair of runs on a Bakersfield wild pitch, an RBI sac-fly from Liam Ostrom and finally a solo home run from Michael Hogen to cap the scoring and provide the go-ahead run.

The three-run rally came after Bakersfield (14-15, 5-5) plated four runs in a productive sixth inning for the Renegades that included a pair of home runs and an RBI sac-fly.

COC starter Tyer Hawn was chased from the game following that sequence, He pitched five and 1/3 innings while allowing five runs on seven hits, including the pair of home runs, and two walks. Hawn struck out three in the game and did not factor into the decision.

Colby Lipp (2-1) was called upon in relief and pitched a scoreless two and 2/3 innings to eventually earn the win. Lipp surrendered two hits with one strikeout before handing the ball to Ricky Sturm who pitched a scoreless ninth inning to get his third save of the season.

On the other side it was Chance Gerecke suffering the loss for the Renegades. Gerecke (2-4) allowed all six runs on seven hits and four walks to go with five strikeouts.

Earlier in the contest Travis Van Ness doubled to left-center field giving the Cougars a 2-1 lead. In the fifth inning, Van Ness came around to score on Reid Farrell's RBI single that also brought Kotaro Kuwatani home.

Van Ness finished the game 2-for-3 with a walk, run and pair of RBIs. Farrell was 2-for-3 with a walk, run and RBI to help lead the way.

The Cougars and Renegades will continue the series Thursday, April 2, back in Bakersfield. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.

Canyons will then play host in the series finale at 2 p.m. Friday, April 3, from Mike Gillespie Field. That game will be live streamed to fans free of charge via YouTube on the Cougars Sports Network.

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