Owls Keep Pirates At Bay

Citrus College started strong and held on for a 7-6 victory over Orange Coast College Monday afternoon.

The Owls improve to 17-14 on the year, while the Pirates slip to 9-16 overall.

Both Leah Morales (one run) and Samantha Meyndert (two runs, four RBIs) went 2-for-4 at the plate to help the Owls pick up the win. Jasani Zavalza drew four walks and scored twice, while Marissa Gallegos and Desiree Loza also had hits for the Owls.

Citrus wasted little time and plated five runs in its first chance at the plate. Morales led the inning off with a single to left center before stealing second. Zavalza joined her on base with her first trip to first before Meyndert doubled to drive both runners home. The Owls loaded the bases and Alexis Cordero sacrificed a fly ball to score one, followed by a Loza double to send two more in, 5-0.

The Pirates made things interesting with three runs in the top of the fourth and one in the fifth, but the Owls answered back with two runs in the bottom of the sixth. With two outs and Zavalza on base, Meyndert turned on a pitch and sent it sailing over the fence in right to increase Citrus' lead to 7-4.

OCC tried to rally in the seventh and scored two runs, but the Owls locked in to secure the 7-6 victory.

Citrus heads to Bakersfield College on Tuesday for a 2 p.m. contest.