COC BASEBALL: CANYONS FINDS NEEDED HELP.

Byline: Gerry Gittelson Staff Writer

After starting the season 7-10, College of the Canyons has taken off with help from an unlikely duo.

The unheralded tandem of Chris Martinez and Nick Epper has played vital roles for Canyon (16-10, 11-5 in Western State Conference), which is competing in the annual Spring Classic tournament in Santa Maria this week after defeating Cypress 6-5 Tuesday in the first round of pool play.

Martinez, a freshman second baseman from Palmdale High, didn't get an at-bat until seven weeks into the season. But he hit two home runs and eight RBI in a victory over L.A. Valley last month, and he has remained in the lineup since. He's batting .462 with 11 RBI in 31 at-bats, and Canyons hasn't lost a game with Martinez in the lineup.

``I just waited for my opportunity, and when I got it I didn't look back,'' Martinez said. ``It's always nice to contribute, especially when the team's on a winning streak.''

Coach Chris Cota knew Martinez could hit. Martinez proved so in high school, when he led the region with 10 home runs as a Palmdale senior.

But on first impression at Canyons, Martinez needed to work on his defense and also was caught in a numbers crunch because Canyons had too many middle infielders.

With no choice, Martinez remained patient and optimistic.

``Chris has had a great attitude the whole time,'' Cota said. ``He wasn't playing, but he never sulked and never pouted. He just kept working hard. And after that breakout game against Valley, he was definitely staying in the lineup.''

Epper, a third-year sophomore from small Vasquez High in Acton, has found a spot as the team's designated hitter after failing to make an impact as a pitcher last season. He's batting .405 and has struck out just three times in 51 at-bats.

Meanwhile, Canyons is getting significant contributions from pitcher Jake Coash and infielder Nick Enciso, both of whom have recovered from arm surgery. Coash, a 6-foot-5 left-hander from Canyon High who two years ago was considered one of the Southland's top pro pitching prospects, is healthy after extensive elbow surgery. He went six innings Tuesday to beat Cypress and improve to 3-1 with a 2.10 ERA and 50 strikeouts in 45 innings.

``Jake had to sit out all year because he had Tommy John surgery, but I think his velocity is all the way back to when he was healthy,'' Cota said. ``He's throwing 88 to 91 mph.''

Enciso, who played at Hart in 2001 before his career was interrupted by arm problems, is batting .387 with two home runs and 15 RBI.

Gerry Gittelson, [phone]

gerry.gittelson(at)dailynews.com