Sophomore class the key for Cougars

COC Insider: Softball team to return a large, talented class

To say College of the Canyons head softball coach John Wissmath is excited about the level of talent on this year’s team would be an understatement.

“Every girl out here can play,” said Wissmath about his club, which begins the season as the No. 13 ranked team in the state. “All the way up and down the lineup, our players can rip the ball.”

Canyons returns five players from the 2015 roster, which finished with a record of 28-10-1 to place second in the Western State Conference, Blue Division — marking the first time in three seasons COC did not claim a conference title. In total, the Cougars will have 10 sophomores in the clubhouse.

“It’s their opportunity now. They’re in the driver’s seat,” said Wissmath of the sophomore class. “I think they’ve learned from the positive things that happened last year, as well as the negative. They’re a pretty tight-knit crew.”

Included among that group is returning AllSoCal shortstop Cheyenne Steward, who batted .489 with nine home runs, 39 RBIs and 54 runs for the Cougars in 2015.

Also back for the Cougars are team co-captains, infielder Julianna Carlos and outfielder Jennifer Metcalf. Metcalf earned AllWSC Second Team honors in 2015 after hitting .305 with 36 RBIs and 34 runs scored and Carlos was named All-WSC Honorable mention with a .304 batting average.

Meanwhile, sophomore pitcher Ashley Russo finished last season with a 12-4 record and 2.42 ERA.

Russo and sophomore transfer Alexis Ramirez will help anchor a COC pitching staff that should complement the team’s high-powered offense.

Sophomore infielder Kiana Holder joins the program after a breakout freshman season at College of the Desert, where she earned All-SoCal team honors and was a First-Team All-Foothill League selection.

Elsewhere, freshman catcher/outfielder Azmarheen Anderson and infielders Gabrielle

Padilla and Sarah Wilson should also see time in the lineup.

In terms of a goal for the season?

“We’re always looking to get another conference title,” said Wissmath. “But really we all have one thing in common out here, and that’s to try and get to the state championship.”

Canyons will begin the 2016 campaign at home vs. Santa Ana College on Feb. 2. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.