Owls Strand Nine as AVC Takes Stranglehold of WSC South Race

Glendora, CA - Needing a big win to keep pace with visiting Antelope Valley College in the early goings of the Western State Conference South Division standings, the Citrus College Softball team just couldn't get the hits it needed when it needed them. The Owls rolled up 10 hits, but stranded nine base runners and were held to just one run in a 7-1 loss to the Marauders. 

 Antelope jumped into the lead in the top of the second inning on a solo shot. Citrus would respond two innings later, after a one out single by freshman Mia Escobar led to her scoring on a single by freshman Valerie Ortiz a few plays later. 

After that, the two teams traded base runners, but no scores until AVC opened the game up in the top of the sixth when they scored five runs, four on singles to make it 6-1. The Owls would move a runner to second in the bottom half of the inning, but couldn't get anything more than that. The Marauders would add an insurance score in the top of the seventh, but once again, Citrus would leave a runner on the base paths in the bottom of the seventh, sealing Citrus' fate. 

Sophomore Jade Nua would finish 3 for 4 on the afternoon. Freshman Jocelyn Alvarado went 2 for 3, and Ortiz was 2 for 4 in the loss. With the loss, Citrus drops to 16-9 overall and more importantly just 5-3 in WSC South play. The loss drops Citrus to third in the WSC South standings, three games back of the first place Marauders and half a game behind second place College of the Canyons. 

The Owls will be back in action on Friday when they travel to State #6 El Camino College, arguably the hottest team in the State, for a double-header at ECC Softball Field. First pitch is set for 1:30 PM in Game #1.