#16 Giants Finish as CVC Co-Champs
The College of the Sequoias Giants finished their regular season by clinching a share of the Central Valley Conference Championship. In a doubleheader against Porterville College, the Giants performed well, both on the mound and at the plate, securing victories in both games.
Game 1 | COS 13 – Porterville 0
In a display of sheer offensive power, the Giants stormed to a commanding 13-0 victory in the first game. Leading the charge were Emily Ibarra (Redwood HS), Grace Chojnacki (Mission Oak HS), and Megan Melson (Tulare Union HS), whose performances at the plate propelled the team forward. Ibarra went 2-for-4 with 1 RBI, Chojnacki contributed 2 hits and an impressive 4 RBIs, while Melson boasted a perfect 3-for-3 with 1 RBI. On the mound, Bailee Bustos (Mission Oak HS) limited Porterville to just 1 hit and sealed the win in 5 innings.
Game 2 | COS 8 – Porterville 0
The Giants continued their dominance in the second game, clinching an 8-0 victory to complete the doubleheader sweep. Once again, Ibarra showcased her batting prowess with a stellar 3-for-4 performance, while Eliza Gamez (Redwood HS), Megan Melson, and Aislynn Ortiz (Hanford West HS) provided offensive support. Gamez contributed 2 RBIs, Melson delivered a 2-for-3 performance, and Ortiz impressed with 2 hits and 2 RBIs. Bustos further solidified her status as a Giant with another stellar pitching display, allowing just 1 hit to secure the win in 5 innings.
Bustos' standout regular season performance places her among the state's elite pitchers, ranking impressively in multiple statistical categories. She secures the third spot in strikeouts with 171, sits fifth in ERA boasting 1.16, and finished eighth in wins with a total of 17 victories. These achievements solidify her status as one of the top pitchers in the state.
Postseason Outlook
The Giants ended the regular season with a six-game winning streak to close out the regular season, including victories in 16 out of their last 17 games. The Central Valley Conference Co-Champions, COS Giants, finished with an impressive 15-3 conference record and overall record of 30-8, which marks a historic achievement for the program, boasting the most wins since 2012.
As the regular season concludes, COS now sets its sights on the upcoming California Community Colleges Athletic Association (3C2A) State Regional Playoffs. In the most recent California Community Colleges Fastpitch Coaches Association (3CFCA) Poll, the Giants were ranked No. 16 in the state and No. 7 in the North Region, solidifying their position as strong contenders for postseason success. Giants prepare to host a postgame series starting on Friday. Friday's game will begin at 2:00 pm and Saturday's game will begin at 12:00 pm, with a potential Game 3 (if necessary) starting at 2:00 pm. Ticket prices, controlled by the state athletic organization 3C2A, are set at $12 for general admission and $8 for students, faculty, and staff with identification, seniors aged 60 and older, and children under 12.
