Owls Doubled-Up By Cypress

Cypress, CA - Headed into Thursday afternoon's double-header with then State #3 Cypress College, the Citrus College Softball team knew they would have their hands full when it came to one of the top teams in the State. The Owls were exactly right as they kept things close with the Chargers until late in each of the two games, but each time the Chargers hit another gear Citrus couldn't match in a 6-2 and 8-2 loss. 

 Citrus' offense didn't get clicking until late on Thursday, while Cypress was nearly ready from the jump. Both teams would put runners on board through the first two innings, but the Chargers were the first to break through with a run in the top of the third. Cypress would go on to add one in the fourth and then two more in the fifth (both of the unearned variety) to jump out 4-0. 

The Owls would cut the deficit in half in the top of the fifth thanks to a 2-RBI single through the left side of the field off the bat of freshman Mia Escobar, but Cypress answered those two scores in the top of the seventh and Citrus was never able to do anything with three base runners in the final two frames. 

In the loss, freshman Vanessa Garcia (0-3) was more or less a hard luck loser in the circle, giving up four runs with one of them being earned. Garcia walked three as well, and was saddled with the loss in her 4.1 innings worth of work. At the plate, Escobar was the lone Owl to record more than a single hit going 2 for 4 with those two RBIs. 

Cypress would pick up where they left off in the top of the first in the second game of the double-header. The Chargers scored on a two-run home run that curled just inside the left foul pole with two outs to jump out 2-0. Citrus had an answer though in the form of a two run shot from sophomore Celine Spathias that was a no-doubter to left-center field. 

Cypress would go on to score an unearned run in the third, three more in the sixth (two earned), and another two (both unearned), in the top of the seventh to jump out in front 8-2. Citrus meanwhile had five hits over the final five innings, but were caught too often in the air with 10 pop, fly, or line outs over the course of their final 15 outs. 

Freshman Danielle Dominguez (8-2) would be strapped with just her second loss of 2017 after giving up eight total runs, only four of which were earned. Freshman Molly Montell had a good day at the plate going 2 for 3, while Escobar continued to stay hot going 2 for 4. 

With the two losses, Citrus drops to 8-5 on the year. The Owls' road doesn't get any easier as they host current State #2 Mt. San Antonio College (11-0) on Saturday afternoon. First pitch is set for 12:00 PM.