Canyons Infielder Colton Burns Signs Letter of Intent with UCSB
Burns will play his sophomore season at Canyons before transferring to UCSB in fall 2016.
College of the Canyons sophomore infielder Colton Burns has signed a National Letter of Intent with University of California Santa Barbara (UCSB) to continue his post-COC playing career as a Gaucho.
Burns is expected to play his sophomore season at Canyons, before transferring to UCSB in fall 2016.
"Colton has not only matured into an outstanding student athlete, but also an outstanding young man," said COC head baseball coach Chris Cota. "I'm sure his transition to the Division I level will be a smooth one, and he will be able to contribute to Santa Barbara right away."
In 2014, Burns appeared in 32 games for the Cougars, primarily batting from the leadoff spot.
The freshman hit .362 on the season to lead Canyons — a mark good enough to also rank ninth in the Western State Conference (WSC).
He also led the team with a .472 on-base percentage, which ranked second in the conference. Burns also totaled 15 RBIs and 26 runs on the year.
In addition to being named an All-WSC First Team selection, the slick-fielding second baseman earned a Gold Glove award after posting a .958 fielding percentage, while committing just seven errors in 167 chances.
UCSB is an NCAA Division I program. The Gauchos compete in the highly competitive Big West Conference that also includes UC Irvine, CSU Fullerton and Long Beach State.
Last season the Gauchos finished the regular season 40-17-1 before being eliminated from postseason play in the regional playoff round.