Owls Finally Put W On Board

Sylmar, CA -- After a six game losing streak, the Owls were finally able to put a W on the board on Friday afternoon at LA Mission College. Citrus got RBI's from five different batters, and took advantage of three Mission errors to record a 9-3 win over the Eagles.

The Owls started early driving in three runs in the top half of the first inning one each from freshmen Jonathon Reynoso and Brandon Benson and another from sophomore Mike Rowland. LA Mission struck back with a pair of scores in the bottom of the inning, but sophomore Warren Fishback gave the Owls some breathing room in top of the second with a solo home run, his first of the year, that made it 4-2.

After a tough first inning, Citrus sophomore Oscar Gomez settled in on the hill. Gomez pitched a flawless second inning before working his way out of a jam in the third. In the fourth, Gomez surrendered one more run, but set the Eagles down in order in the fifth innings and got out of another jam in the sixth to do enough to earn the win.

The offense gave Gomez more breathing room in the top half of the sixth thanks to another RBI from Fishback. Benson drove in his second run of the day in the top of the seventh, while freshman Matthew Reynoso added one in the eighth. In the top of the ninth, Citrus scored twice more, giving freshman Ryan Ponder, who pitched the final three innings, plenty of room for error. Room he didn't even need.

In the win, the Owls were led by Fishback and Benson who both went 2 for 4 with a pair of RBI's. Ponder earned the save, pitching all three final innings, and striking out five batters.

With the win, Citrus improves to 10-13 overall and 5-10 in WSC South play. Citrus will take a break from conference play next week, but will take on local rival and SoCal #12 Mt. San Antonio College. The Owls will travel to Walnut on Tuesday before taking on the Mounties at home on Thursday. Tuesday's game is set for a 2:30 PM start time.