CANYONS TO STEP UP IN CLASS; SADDLEBACK FIGURES TO PROVIDE TOUGH BATTERS TO TEST PITCHERS.Byline: Gerry Gittelson Daily News Staff Writer College of the Canyons College of the Canyons is one of the fastest-growing community colleges in the state. According to the National Junior College Research Association, College of the Canyons consistently ranks in the top 50 community colleges in the nation. is a team on the rise. Its competition gets a lot steeper this weekend in the Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, state regional baseball finals at Saddleback College in Mission Viejo. The Cougars (33-13), coming off a first-round sweep of Cerritos, face Saddleback Saddleback see Wessex saddleback. (35-8) Friday at 3 p.m. in game one of the four-team, double-elimination tournament (Grossmont and Cuesta cuesta (kwĕs`tə), asymmetric ridge characterized by a short, steep escarpment on one side, and a long, gentle slope on the other. The steep side exposes the edge of erosion-resistant rock layers that form the cuestas. are the other teams.). The other four-team bracket has top-seeded host Rancho Santiago, Cypress, L.A. Harbor and Riverside. Winners of each bracket meet Memorial Day weekend in the state finals at Fresno City College Fresno City College (or FCC) is a city college in Fresno, California. Established in 1910, it was the first community college in California and the second in the nation. . ``We have to win the first game,'' Canyons coach Len Mohney said. ``The key is to stay out of the loser's bracket. We're looking at the Saddleback game as a must-win situation.'' Saddleback features a lineup filled with solid hitters and outstanding starting pitchers. Mohney hopes starters Jim McNeel (7-2) and Kevin Hyde (5-2) can hold down the Gauchos, led by Greg Forrell (.420, seven homers, 50 runs, 48 RBI RBI abbr. Baseball runs batted in Noun 1. rbi - a run that is the result of the batter's performance; "he had more than 100 rbi last season" run batted in ), Kirk Bolling (.373, 12 homers, 61 RBI), and Jason Radwan (.373, eight homers). ``We're at the next level, so we've got to move it up a notch,'' Canyons second baseman Kasey Canale said. ``We've got to step up.'' COC See chip on chip. is seeded seventh overall, Saddleback second. Can Canyons pull off the upset? ``Well, we're a clutch team,'' said designated hitter David Soto, who hit .750 with two home runs against Cerritos. COC shortstop Hiram Damwijk (.420 average and nine home runs in league), catcher Jesse Daggett (.427, seven homers), left fielder Rob Rehfeld (.346, six homers), and Soto (.422, six homers) will test probable starter Mike Polumbo (9-1, 3.48) or Pat Versluis (7-1, 4.32). Saddleback, winners of its first 17 games, has outscored opponents by 201 runs this season. The Gauchos knocked off Southwestern in two straight to make the quarterfinals. ``We've got a good, young club,'' Saddleback coach Jack Hodges said. ``I don't know Don't know (DK, DKed) "Don't know the trade." A Street expression used whenever one party lacks knowledge of a trade or receives conflicting instructions from the other party. much about Canyons, but I do know that every year, Len Mohney turns out nothing but the best teams.'' Saddleback has made the quarterfinals the past two years, losing to eventual champion Cypress in 1996 and Rancho Santiago in 1995. Canyons will be making its first second-round appearance since 1987, Mohney's first year at the school. Both coaches said making it through this round depends on pitching. ``We know that some teams have better arms and better velocity than us, but we've been the one to answer the call,'' COC pitching coach Chris Zavatsky said. ``Our pitching has some eager competitors who can mix three pitches for strikes and avoid walks. We're not gonna shy away from Verb 1. shy away from - avoid having to deal with some unpleasant task; "I shy away from this task" avoid - stay clear from; keep away from; keep out of the way of someone or something; "Her former friends now avoid her" anyone.'' CAPTION(S): Photo: College of the Canyons' David Soto is greeted warmly by his t eammates after his fifth-inning home run against Cerritos last Friday. Tom Mendoza / Daily News |
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