COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Moorpark Rallies Past Canyons, 5-4

Good fortune turned into misfortune for College of the Canyons in the final inning of a Western State Conference baseball game against Moorpark on Thursday.

After rallying to take a one-run lead in the top of the ninth, the Cougars watched Moorpark score twice in the bottom half of the inning for a 5-4 victory.

Mike Suarez, who had gone hitless in four previous at-bats, singled home Donald Smith from second base with the winning run.

Moorpark, which improved its record to 7-7, 3-1 in conference play, can sympathize with Canyons. The Raiders have lost four games this season in which they led in the final three innings.

“This was a big win for us, we really needed it” Moorpark Coach Ken Wagner said. “There is a big difference between being 2-2 and 3-1.”

Chris Bannon scored the tying run after reaching base on a bobbled ground ball and advanced to third when Canyons pitcher Mike Teich overthrew first base on Jason Jones’ bunt.

Canyons (11-6, 3-1) took its only lead in the top of the ninth. Bill Horvat homered to start the inning and Ron Robart scored the go-ahead run on an infield out.

Moorpark’s Darin Furlong hit for the cycle, including a fifth-inning double that scored Henry Shelb to give the Raiders a 2-0 lead.

Robert Teasdale (4-1) pitched two innings in relief of Moorpark starter Jeff Berman to pick up the win. Teich pitched 8 1/3 innings for Canyons, scattering nine hits and striking out eight.

Canyons had several opportunities to break the game open but stranded seven baserunners in the last three innings.

The Cougars, benefiting from three consecutive walks in the sixth inning, picked up their first run without a hit.

Charlie Fowlks grounded out to score Robart, but Berman retired the next two batters in order to end the inning.

In other games:

L.A. City 5, Mission 0--Daine Turner had two of host Mission’s four hits in a Southern California Athletic Conference loss. Brad McGahan doubled and Rudy Sanchez singled for Mission (9-6-1, 1-1).

Valley 8, Ventura 5--Valley’s E. J. Pape hit a three-run home run in the fifth inning that erased a 3-2 deficit and gave host Valley (6-9-2, 2-1) the Western State Conference win. Mark Cavaretta and Pape each had two hits.

SOFTBALL

Keene State 6-0, Cal Lutheran 4-6--DeeAndra Pilkington tossed a three-hit shutout to give host Cal Lutheran a split in a nonleague doubleheader. Pilkington also had four hits in the two games.