College Baseball : Canyons Notches 39th Win in a Row at Home, 17-14

Tom Dodson had proven that he could make the transition from high school third baseman to college catcher and was looking forward to starting behind the plate for College of the Canyons.

But just days before the Cougars’ opener, Dodson fell in his shower and tore ligaments in his right knee--an injury that will sideline him for the season.

Enter Scott Roth.

Roth took over at catcher and has been making the most of the opportunity. He had three hits, including a two-run double, and three runs batted in Tuesday in Canyons’ 17-14 nonconference victory over Long Beach City College in the Cougars’ home opener.

Dodson, from Saugus High, was a spectator at the game in which Canyons (4-4) extended its home win streak to 39 over the past three seasons.

Roth, whose two-run double in the second inning gave Canyons its first lead, had one of his best games at the plate. He was one of several Cougars who hit well, however, against the hapless Viking pitching.

Adam Grant hit a grand slam and had two singles and Chris Joy singled twice and knocked in three runs to pace the Cougars’ 13-hit attack.

Canyons’ pitching was as equally ineffective. Three Cougar pitchers gave up 14 hits and Canyons committed five errors.

The Cougars had a six-run third and a seven-run fourth to take a commanding 17-4 lead after six innings.

The Vikings rallied, however, and chased starter Nick Lymberopoulos with eight runs in the seventh on four hits and two errors. Long Beach (3-6) added runs in the eighth and ninth but fell short.

Moorpark 8, Victor Valley 0--Freshman right-hander John Chiaramonte pitched a one-hitter, striking out eight and walking none in a nonconference game at Moorpark.

Chiaramonte allowed a fifth-inning single and faced 28 batters for the Raiders (6-3). Loyd Wood was three for three with two RBIs for Moorpark, giving him 12 RBIs in nine games.

Pierce 15, Compton 8--Shortstop Bill Morris was four for six with two RBIs for Pierce in the nonconference game at Pierce.

Reserve infielder Chris Murphy doubled and homered for Pierce (3-1), which had eight extra-base hits.

Valley 18, L.A. City 6--Ray Sabado hit a grand slam in the second and knocked in six runs to pace a 15-hit attack for the Monarchs in the nonconference game at L. A. City.

Mike Caputi was four for four and scored four runs for Valley (6-0-1).