Back in the Saddle

Valley Glen, CA -- The Citrus College Baseball team got back in the saddle on Tuesday afternoon and came away with a 4-3 win at LA Valley College. The Monarchs have long been a thorn in the side of the Owls, and nearly did it again, but Citrus was able to stave off a last inning attempt by LA Valley at a comeback.

Sophomore Michael Bradley scored the game's first run, belting a double in the top of the second inning and then taking advantage of a miscue by the Valley right fielder to score on the double. Valley would tie the game back up in the bottom of the fourth, but Citrus surged ahead in the fifth, thanks to an RBI double from sophomore Jonathon Reynoso.

The Monarchs tied things right back up in the bottom half of the fifth, and Citrus would be set down in order through the sixth and seventh innings. With the top of the order back up in the eighth, the Owls went ahead for good, thanks to an RBI single from Bradley and another Valley error in the field. LA Valley would score a run in the bottom of the ninth, to cut the Citrus lead to one, but sophomore Jayson De La Pena overcame a two out bases loaded situation, by striking out the final batter of the game looking.

Freshman Sean Patton would pick up the win, his fifth of the year. Patton went pitched seven innings, walking two, giving up seven hits, and striking out a trio of Monarch hitters. Bradley was the highlight of the day for Citrus at the plate, going 2 for 4 with a RBI and a pair of runs scored.

With the win, Citrus improves to 17-12 overall and 10-6 in WSC South play. With the season series tied at 1-1, the Owls will host the Monarchs for the two schools' final game of the year between each other on Thursday at 2:30 PM.