Owls Drop Out of First With Split at LA Valley

Valley Glen, CA -- The Citrus College Softball team fell out of it's perch in first place in the WSC Blue Division on Tuesday afternoon thanks to their split at Los Angeles Valley College. The Owls battled with the Monarchs all day, coming from behind to pick up a 7-5 win in game one, and falling in the second game 3-4.

In the first game, the Owls opened up the game with a run in each of the first and second innings to stake themselves to a 2-0 lead. LA Valley came roaring back in the bottom of the third, to grab their first lead of the day 3-2. Citrus tied it up in the top of the fourth, and then briefly took a 4-3 lead in the top of the fifth, but again the Monarchs rallied, scoring two in the fifth to go up 5-4. Citrus finally responded in kind in the top of the seventh scoring three runs to grab the first game victory.

Freshman Miranda Gil (7-6) earned the win in game one, striking out five Monarch batters and allowing just two earned runs. Sophomore Sara Moore was 2 for 4 with a run and two RBI's. Of her two hits, one was a home run. Gil helped her own cause at the plate as well, hitting a home run and going 1 for 3 with a run and a pair of RBI's.

In the second game, the Owls got behind early, as LA Valley scored a trio of runs in the bottom of the first. Citrus cut the lead to one with a pair in the third, but the Monarchs added an insurance score in the bottom of the fourth, and Citrus was only able to score once more, in the fifth, as they fell by one.

Sophomore Arianna Sanchez (8-3) suffered the loss. Sanchez was solid giving up just three earned runs, and striking out four Monarch batters. The Owls mustered just six total hits in the contest, including Moore's ninth home run of the year.

With the split, Citrus' record moves to 15-9 overall and 7-2 in WSC Blue play. Citrus will try and rally on Thursday when they hit the road again for a 2:30 PM start against Santa Monica College. The game will be played at John Adams Middle School in Santa Monica.