Sweep Timing

Glendora, CA - Desperately needing a pair of wins to keep pace in the WSC Blue Division race, the Owls picked up just that in what could be called some sweep timing. The Owls picked up two wins over visiting Antelope Valley College on Tuesday, defeating the Marauders 6-3 and 6-2. 

 In the opening game, the Owls fell into an early hole, when Antelope scored a single run in the top of the second. Freshman Celine Spathias put the Owls on top two innings later, when she blasted a three run shot on a 2-2 count that made it 3-1. 

The Owls would add another run in the bottom of the fourth when freshman Ashley "Nikki" Soto scored from third in what was actually a double play groundout for the Owls to make it 4-1. Antelope would cut their deficit in half with a run in the top of the fifth. RBIs from freshman Alyssa Rodriguez and Spathias in the fifth and sixth innings respectively though would push Citrus' lead back up, making it 6-2. 

Antelope would try to mount a comeback in the top of the seventh with a one out RBI double, but sophomore Makaele Moore settled back into her groove and got the last two batters out via a strikeout and a fly out to left preserving the win. Moore (3-4), pitched all seven innings scattering nine hits and no walks, while striking out five. 

In the second game, the Owls picked up right where they left off getting an RBI single in the bottom of the first from freshman Karissa Martinez and a two-run home run by Soto in the bottom of the second to help Citrus jump out to a 3-0 lead. 

Antelope would answer back with an RBI in the top of the third, but Citrus came back with two in the bottom of the third, one on a double-steal and the second when Moore lifted an RBI single to right-center. The Marauders made one last attempt at the Owl lead with a solo home run in the top of the fourth, but Moore shutout Antelope over the final two innings and Martinez added to the Owl offensive output with another RBI single to make it 6-2. 

Moore was again strong in the second game of the day, giving up just five hits and again surrendering no walks, while striking out five more batters. 

With the pair of wins, Citrus improves to 7-13 overall and more importantly 4-2 in WSC Blue play, putting themselves in a three-way tie for second place and in the running for that all important second playoff spot. The Owls will be back home on Thursday when they host Glendale College at 2:30 PM.