Canyons Softball Suffers 4-0 Loss in Series Opener at Fullerton

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

FULLERTON — No. 12 College of the Canyons suffered a 4-0 road loss to No. 5 Fullerton College in the opening game of the best-of-three CCCAA Southern California Regional Playoff series on Friday.

Canyons (23-16) was shutout for just the fifth time this season, but third in the last five games, as the Lady Cougars lineup struggled to get anything going vs. Fullerton starter and Orange Coast Conference Pitcher of the Year Allyson Fuentes.

Fuentes (20-8) pitched the whole way allowing just four hits, issuing three walks and striking out four.

COC's lone extra-base hit was a double from Brianne Tall in the fifth inning. After a botched bunt attempt Gigi Garcia singled then stole second to put both runners in prime scoring position, but the Cougars could get no further.

Canyons starter Allyson Melgar (15-12) took the loss. The All-SoCal team selection struck out five batters but surrendered four runs, three earned, on nine hits and a walk.

The two teams played a scoreless first three innings before Fullerton took a 1-0 lead on an RBI double from Aguilar. The Hornets extended the lead to 2-0 in the fifth and then hung another pair of runs to close out the sixth inning for the eventual 4-0 final score.

Canyons and Fullerton continue the best-of-three series with game two Saturday, May 6. First pitch is scheduled for noon in Fullerton. If necessary, a third game would be played at approximately 2 p.m.

The winner of the series advances to face the winner between No. 4 Cerritos College and No. 13 L.A. Mission College.

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.

—Photo by Sarah Ehrsam/COC Athletics