AREA COLLEGE NOTEBOOK

College of the Canyons batters are getting hotter and the Cougars are reaping the benefits.

“Our major concern from the get-go was our offense,” first-year Coach Chris Cota said.

The Cougars have won four of five and are 8-10-1, 4-3 in Western State Conference Southern Division play.

Third baseman Francisco Enriquez, a former San Fernando High standout and a transfer from USC, is batting .379 in conference play. He hit two home runs and a double, knocking in four runs, to help the Cougars defeat Glendale, 12-6, on Tuesday.

First baseman Scott Sellz, a freshman from Chatsworth, is batting .429 in WSC play and has three home runs. He is also the team’s closer.

Canyons and Pierce each are 4-3 and tied in third place in the division, behind Citrus (7-0) and Glendale (5-2).

“Somebody has to slow [Citrus] down,” Cota said.