A Little Something Extra

Glendora, CA -- After following up their last six wins with a loss, the Citrus College Baseball team got a little something extra on Friday afternoon when it played host to visiting Antelope Valley College in Western State Conference South Division action. Not only did the Owls blast eight extra base hits, but the Owls picked up an extra win, with a 17-4 defeat of the visiting Marauders.

Antelope drew first blood on Friday afternoon, tagging sophomore starting pitcher Cameron Rodriguez with a run in the top of the first inning. The Owls meanwhile took a few innings for their offense to warm-up as they didn't get on the scoreboard until the bottom of the third.

Sophomore Taylor Grace kicked things off with an RBI single to left that scored sophomore Anthony Virgen. Two pitches later sophomore Troy Resch roped a double to center field that brought in Grace and freshman Rudy Casarez III as Citrus went up 3-1.

The Marauders would briefly tie up the game with two runs in the top of the fourth, but that tie didn't last long as Citrus responded with a four spot in the bottom half of the frame. Grace once again kick started the scoring with a two RBI double to right-center field. Casarez scored a few moments later on a wild pitch, and Resch drove in Grace to make it 7-3 Citrus. The Owls never looked back.

In the bottom of the fifth Citrus scored five more runs. Freshman Michael Carlos, Virgen, Grace, Casarez, and Resch all drove in runs on the inning. Two innings later, freshman Ryan Aguilar got in on the action with an RBI single through the right side of the field. The Owls never took their foot off the gas as they finished up their last offensive inning with four runs in the bottom of the eighth. Virgen hit a three run blast over the left field fence and freshman Joshua Chua hit a double down the left field line to make it 17-4.

Rodriguez would go on to pick up his fourth win of the season after doing enough over six innings of work and picking up six K's in the process. Freshmen Art Corona Jr. and Chris Ghosn accounted for the final nine outs of the game, holding the Marauders scoreless over the last third.

In the win, Grace, Resch, and Virgen all had banner days at the plate. Each drove in four runs, while Grace scored four runs as did Casarez. Grace would finish 4 for 6 at the plate, while Resch was a perfect 4 for 4.

With the win, Citrus improves to 13-11-1 on the season and 7-5 in WSC South play. The Owls will take a break from WSC South play next week to play a home and away with nearby Mt. San Antonio College. The Owls will first host the Mounties on Tuesday at 2:30 PM.