Bernal’s Gem Helps Owls Snap Four-Game Slide

Glendora, CA - Sophomore Aaron Bernal pitched eight solid innings, giving up just four total hits, one run, one walk, and fanning three. His gem helped the Owls stop a four-game slide, and beat visiting Barstow College in the opening game of their final regular season three-game set with Barstow College 7-1. 

 The Owls scored the game's opening run, using a bases loaded RBI walk by freshman Donoyvn Curiel in the bottom of the second to open up a small 1-0 lead. Barstow, meanwhile would be held off until the fifth inning when they used a single through the right side of the field to tie the game up at 1-1. 

Bernal would keep the Vikings at bay long enough to give Citrus a chance to open up a large lead. Freshman Kristian Scott would hit an RBI infield single to short in the bottom of the fifth, while sophomore Jordan Achay would lay down a near perfect squeeze in the sixth to make it 3-1. In the seventh, a sacrifice fly by freshman Andre Flores and a wild pitch that scored sophomore Marcos Campos would make it 5-1. In the eighth, Citrus more than sealed the deal with an RBI single from sophomore Hiroshi Ishiwatari and RBI double down the left field line by Campos to make it 7-1. 

In the ninth, Bernal gave way to freshman Daniel Guerrero who more than locked down the game. Guerrero gave up a single hit, and then proceeded to strike out two of the final three batters to secure the 7-1 win. 

In the win, Campos finished 3-for-5 with a run and an RBI. Flores finished 2-for-3 as did Achay.

With the win, Citrus kept their slim post-season chances alive, improving to 19-17-2 overall and 9-8-1 in the WSC East. The Owls will travel to Barstow on Thursday for a 2:30 PM match-up. ​