Owls Snap Three Game Skid with Win Over West LA

Glendora, CA - The Citrus College Baseball team snapped a three game skid on Wednesday afternoon with a 7-1 win over West Los Angeles College. Freshman Peter Eitapence and sophomore Roberto Baldanebro combined to more or less shutdown the Wildcats offense, while the offense did just enough to help secure the win. 

Eitapence took the ball from the start and was darn near un-hittable over his three innings of work. Eitapence didn't give up a run, a hit, or walk, and struck out five of the ten batters he faced during his time on the mound. After three innings, Eitapence was pulled to be saved for a later start in the week, and gave way to Baldenebro who picked up where Eitapence left off, scattering five runs and an unearned run over the final six innings, striking out six batters and not giving up a single walk. 

While Eitapence and Baldanebro holding down the Wildcat defense, the Owls used a team effort at the plate to put up seven runs. All eight hits by Citrus went to different players, and all five walks issued went to different hitters. Freshman Andre Flores helped give Citrus the lead with an RBI single to left that drove in freshman Donovyn Curiel. Sophomore Kyosuke Ushimaru would follow that up with a RB single to right to give Citrus a 2-0 lead. 

The Wildcats lone score would come in the top of the sixth when they scored on a Citrus error to cut the Owls lead to a single run. The Owls would gain some breathing room in the bottom of the seventh thanks to an RBI double off the bat of Curiel, Curiel then scoring on an error by West LA, and then an RBI single by freshman Kristian Scott to right that made it 5-1. 

The Owls would add two more insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth, thanks to a solo shot to left from freshman Benjamin Aguilera and a sacrifice fly by Curiel to center that brought home sophomore Garrett Barnes. 

Curiel would have the best statistical day at the plate, going 1 for 3 with two runs and two RBIs, while Baldanebro would pick up his first W of the year.

With the win, Citrus improves to 3-6-1 on the year. The Owls will be back at home on Thursday when they play host to Pasadena City College. First pitch is set for 2:00 PM.