After having Tuesday’s series opener postponed due to inclement weather, No. 16 College of the Canyons defeated host Victor Valley College 7-0 on Thursday, behind eight scoreless innings from freshman lefty Jacob Lopez.

Canyons (12-9, 5-1) plated two runs in the first inning on a home run from sophomore catcher Anthony Lepre and never looked back, scoring in four of the first five innings to remain in control throughout.

Lopez (2-1) limited the Rams to just six hits while striking out 11 batters. He recorded multi-strikeout innings in the first, third, fourth and eighth innings, while lowering his season ERA to 3.27.

COC sophomore Robert Hemer started the ninth inning and pitched a scoreless inning of relief for the Cougars.

Wes Felber drove in a run with an RBI single in the fourth inning before Chris May clubbed a two-run home run of his own in the top of the fifth inning that put COC ahead 6-0.

May later singled in a run in the top of the ninth to make it a 7-0 final score. He finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs and a run scored.

Lepre went 1-for-3 with two walks, two runs and two RBIs. Cole Kleszcz and Anthony Medina hadtwo hits each.

The series between COC and Victor Valley will now shift back to Santa Clarita, for a Friday doubleheader. Games are scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m.