Hancock Softball Falls 12-7 to No. 11 Canyons

Despite a six-run first inning, the Allan Hancock College softball team dropped a 12-7 decision Thursday at the Hancock Softball Field to College of the Canyons, the No. 11 team in California. The Bulldogs fell to 18-9 overall, while the Cougars improved to 21-5-1.

The Cougars scored three times in the top of the first, two came on a home run off the bat of Sienna Vannoy. The Bulldogs responded by sending 11 batters to the plate in the bottom half of the first. Larrissa Ostrander led off with a single. Isabella Partida and Maggie Dasis drew walks to load the bases. Myranda Morales hit a RBI-single, and Bailey Killough drew a walk with the bases loaded to account for Hancock's first two runs. After a Canyons' pitching change, Hancock pitcher Shannon Peterson laced a RBI-single to tie it at 3-3. Emily Gannt followed with a run-scoring single to give Hancock a 4-3 lead. Christabel Chavez legged out an infield single to drive in the fifth run. Ostrander, who led off the inning, hit a ground ball to score Gantt to cap a six-run frame.

Canyons answered with a five-run second to take the lead for good at 8-6. Hancock got one back in the second when Dasis singled, stole second, and scored on a Canyons' error.

Peterson allowed 16 hits and 12 runs, eight of them were earned, in seven innings for the Bulldogs. The sophomore walked three, struck out one and allowed two home runs. She fell victim to four Hancock errors.

Hancock was out-hit 16 to nine in the game. Freshman Nakaila Fuggs went 2-for-4, while Killough had 2 RBI for Hancock.

The Bulldogs will hit the road for a 2 p.m. game at Taft College on Friday, followed by a 1 p.m. game Saturday at College of the Sequoias.