Posted: Aug 28, 2013

Baseball Announces Final Matriculating Athletes

From left to right: Oscar Gomez, Matt Fitzgerald, Luis Saballos, Christopher Holden, and Carlos "Chip" Rosales will all be attending and competing at four-year schools this academic year.

Glendora, CA -- With the 2013-2014 academic school year getting underway across the country, the Citrus College Baseball program is pleased to announce that five more athletes will be attending and playing for four year schools coming this fall and spring. Those five are in addition to the three who were announced towards the end of the 2013 baseball season.

A pair of starting pitchers will be taking the bump for the same NCAA DII school this Spring when Oscar Gomez and Matt Fitzgerald don the uniforms for East Central University in Oklahoma.

Gomez's Citrus career spanned two seasons for the Owls. As a freshman Gomez appeared in 17 games, all in relief, posting a 3.80 ERA and grabbing an All-WSC South Honorable Mention nod. As a sophomore Gomez slided into a starters role for Citrus, making 17 starts, going 4-5, posting a 4.65 ERA, and striking out a team high 45 batters.

"They [East Central] gave me a really good scholarship and opportunity. It felt as close to home as could be with all their California guys, and they return a talented squad, I know we're going to be good," Gomez said. "Citrus has helped me grow thanks to the guidance of our coaching staff. The support staff helped me get better both on and off the field as well."

Fitzgerald spent one season with the Owls, after starting his collegiate career in 2012 at Cal Poly Pomona. In 2013, he appeared in 11 games, including eight starts, posting a 5.00 ERA with 28 K's, and a 3-4 record.

Another pitcher, making the transition to the NCAA DII level will be Luis Saballos who will be attending and playing for nearby California State University, Los Angeles. Saballos made 11 appearances in 2013, posting a 5.56 ERA and recording a team high four saves.

"I liked that Cal State LA was close home. They gave me good opportunity to come in and play," Saballos said. "Citrus has helped groom my independence, and helped get me out of my comfort zone. The people on campus have helped me get to where I am today and it was a good all-around experience for me."

Two more pitchers round out the 2013 matriculating class, and both will be headed to the same institution. Christopher Holden and Carlos Rosales will be representing the Owls at Valley City State University in North Dakota.

After coming into the program as an outfielder, Holden made the transition to the mound in 2013 where he made six appearances, going 1-1, with a 4.22 ERA.

"The fact that we [Citrus] have had players that have gone there previously, helped to make it feel like home. The coaching staff was really involved and excited about me coming," Holden said. "The coaching staff here at Citrus have constantly tried to push me on and helped make a good impression for us with schools at four years. They took the time to put us out there and help push us to get better."

Rosales was a two-year member of the Owls' pitching staff. As a sophomore Rosales, made four appearances, striking out eight batters in just over 10 innings of work.

"We're proud of all of our matriculating athletes, as they put in time and effort both out on the field and in the classroom," said Citrus College Head Baseball Coach Steve Gomez. "The Citrus coaching staff is looking forward to following their continued successes at the next level."