Diamond Owls Continue Long Tradition of Four-Year Matriculation

The Citrus College Baseball program has long been known for moving its student athletes on to four-year colleges.  Since 2004, the Owls Baseball program has matriculated 109 student athletes into four-year schools, including 11 players from the 2017-2018 roster.

Head Coach Steve Gomez, who has been at the helm for the majority of those seasons, prides himself and his coaching staff on preparing their guys for the rigors of higher level competition and academics. Coach Gomez has orchestrated a recruitment system that four-year programs have grown to love, and it shows in the sheer voilume of players moving on. 

But it doesn't come easy. The Citrus coaching staff works tirelessly in the off-season, recruiting the type of guys that will embrace the program's philosophy and buy in to the team goals. And the work doesn't stop there. The coaches then really start the grind of working with scouts from four-year schools, and finding the perfect fit for each of the guys at the next level. It really has become a form of art for the Citrus program. And every year, the number of matriculated players proves it. 

From the 2017-2018 roster, here are the 11 players that are moving on to four-year schools to compete and earn their degrees: 

Matthew Sanchez - Cal State Fullerton NCAA D-I

Sir Jordan Gomez- Sonoma State NCAA D-II

Donovyn Curiel Sonoma State NCAA D-II

Alexis Paz Cal State Stanislaus NCAA D-II

Jesse Villalobos Cal State Dominguez Hills NCAA D-II

Benjamin Aguilera Cal State LA NCAA D-II 

Kristian Scott Chico State NCAA D-II

Peter Eitapence Chico State NCAA D-II

Kirk Cabana Piedmont International University NAIA

Shota Usuda Georgetown College NAIA

Nicholas Ramirez Hope International University NAIA