Cougars Win 5-3 Over Citrus to Move Up in Conference Standings

College of the Canyons softball student-athlete Krista Viereck in a white pinstriped “Cougars” uniform and helmet runs across the infield dirt during a game, looking focused as she moves toward the next base, with a blue outfield fence in the background.
Box Score
April 2, 2026

By Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director  

College of the Canyons used a three-run sixth inning to move past visiting Citrus College 5-3 on Tuesday at Whitten Field, with the Cougars using the win to move into a tie for second in the conference standings.

Canyons (19-12, 5-2) has won six of its last seven contests with the lone loss coming vs. No. 1 state ranked College of San Mateo as part of a non-conference doubleheader. The Cougars are also riding a five-game conference win streak dating back to March 17.

The victory vs. Citrus (22-5, 5-2) evens the season series after the Owls defeated COC 7-2 in the Western State Conference (WSC), South Division opener back on March 5.

COC received another strong pitching performance from sophomore Akane Gonzalez who earned the win after pitching the full seven innings. Gonzalez (10-3) faced 32 batters and was charged with two earned runs on seven hits and three walks, along with one strikeout.

At the dish it was sophomore Krista Viereck finishing a perfect 3-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored.

Viereck started early with an RBI single that tied the game at 1-1 in the second. In the fifth, it was Viereck singling to score Giselle Merida and move the Cougars ahead 2-1.

Citrus answered back with a pair of runs in the sixth that briefly put the Owls ahead at 3-2.

But in the sixth Canyons got back to business in a sequence that provided the go-ahead runs. Merida's sac-fly scored Jocelyn Jimenez to tie the game at 3-3. Viereck then doubled home a run before Amber Phillips singled to add the final score with an RBI base hit of her own to put the score at 5-3.

Merida was 1-for-2 with a double, run and RBI. Phillips went 1-for-3 with an RBI. 

Brissa Ayon (17-7) took the loss for Citrus after allowing all five runs, four earned, in her six innings of work. She allowed eight hits and walk with one strikeout.

COC and Citrus are currently tied for second in the WSC, South standings heading into Thursday's matchups. Both teams trail conference leader Antelope Valley College (21-8, 6-0).

Canyons will host Antelope Valley at 2 p.m. Thursday, April 2, from Whitten Field. That game will be broadcast to fans free of charge via YouTube on the Cougars Sports Network.

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 X, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube. 

—Photo by Robert Hanshiro/COC Sports Information