Story and photo by Jesse Muñoz/COC Sports Information Director

College of the Canyons’ softball squad won its third straight conference game with a 19-1 walloping of L.A. Valley College.

That 15-hit performance allowed COC (9-8, 3-0) to move into the top spot in the Western State Conference (WSC), East Division. The win is the fourth in the last five games for Canyons, while the 19 runs scored on Thursday were a season-best.

The Cougars have averaged 9.8 runs per game over the last five contests and lead the WSC with 36 runs scored in three conference outings.

Canyons scored six runs in the second inning to open up a 7-1 lead over the Monarchs, then came right back in the third for a nine-run outburst that put the game out of question at 16-1. Kayla Yamane’s three-run, pinch hit double in the fourth inning ended the assault at 19-1.

COC sophomore Sienna Vannoy crossed home plate four times and drove in four runs from the leadoff spot to help pace the Cougars. She finished the day 2-for-3 with a pair of doubles and a walk.

Heidi Ludy, Lyndra Fenald and Katie Clinkunbroomer each had three-hit games for the Cougars.

Ludy and Fenald both finished with two runs and two RBIs, while Clinkunbroomer and Rena Edwards both scored three runs. Edwards also drove home a pair of runs for COC.

Katie Taix (6-3) got the win after holding LAVC to just one run in her three innings of work. Taix allowed two hits and one walk, while striking out two. Megan Wilson and Joy Veloz pitched the final two innings for COC to officially close out L.A. Valley (9-5, 1-2).

Here’s the box score.

For more game photos, click here.

With five games remaining on its current homestand, the Cougars are scheduled to host Santiago Canyon College for a Saturday doubleheader. Games are slated for noon and 2 p.m., weather permitting.

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 Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.