Pieper Leads Canyons by Mission, 9-3

Joe Pieper highlighted a five-run second inning with a two-run triple to lead College of the Canyons to a 9-3 win Saturday over Mission of Santa Clara in the final round of the Allan Hancock tournament.

Pieper, formerly of Hart High, was 5 for 12 and drove in seven runs in the tournament, and was named most valuable player. He was 3 for 4 Saturday.

Canyons was 3-0 in the tournament but had to settle for second place behind Cerritos based on total runs scored. Cerritos also was 3-0, but it outscored Canyons, 19-13.

Canyons’ Jeff Ward (3-1) pitched 5 innings for the win, and Charlie Perrault collected his first save. Over the final 3 innings, Perrault struck out four and forced Mission to hit into two double plays.

The pitchers got all the offense they needed in the second inning. After Pieper’s two-run triple, Andy Cutchall singled him home. Bob Clark then hit a two-run home run.

Canyons (17-2), the No. 1-ranked team in Southern California, has won nine in a row and 17 of its last 18. Mission fell to 12-4.