Big Bats

Glendora, CA -- After a somewhat slow start for the Citrus College Softball team through its first three games, the Owls brought out the big bats in their double-header on Thursday afternoon and evening. Citrus opened up with a 14-1 five inning win over State #4 Cypress College before following that up with a 17-0 five inning win over Victor Valley College in the night cap.

The day started off on the wrong foot for Citrus, a Cypress opened up the first game with a solo home run in its very first at bat. After that though, the Owls settled down, including freshman starting pitcher Anissa Gallegos who found her groove shortly thereafter. Gallegos went the distance against the Chargers giving up just three more hits the rest of the way, one walk, and no more runs as she earned her first win.

After the opening inning run by Cypress, Citrus quickly let everyone know they could hang too. Sophomore Erinn Jaramillo tied the game up in the bottom of the first with an RBI single that scored freshman Kaitlyn Garza. Four pitches later, freshman Jessica Brown launched a pitch over the left-field fence to make it 3-1.

The Owls would be held scoreless in the second, but broke the game wide open in the bottom of the third. Citrus scored seven runs, getting RBI hits from Jaramillo, freshman Autumn Bartholomy, sophomore Kiana "Kalei" Guillermo, and a bases loaded and clearing triple from Garza to reach those seven scores.

Citrus put the game on ice in the bottom of the fourth, when freshman Brittny Zepeda doubled down the right field line to make it 11-1. On the very next pitch freshman Kali Smith legged out an inside the park home-run that scored three more Owls to put Citrus up 14-1.

About 45 minutes later, Citrus picked up right where they left off when they started their contest against the Rams. Citrus scored twice in the bottom of the first inning, thanks to an RBI single from Jaramillo and a sacrifice fly by Brown. In the bottom of the second, the Owls added four more scores when Guillermo drove in a run on a fielder's choice, and sophomore Valerie Velasquez drove in a pair with a single. Velasquez herself would score a few moments later on a passed ball to make it 6-0.

In the bottom of the third Citrus scored seven more runs, getting RBI's from Smith, Zepeda, Garza, and sophomore Bobbi Stalnaker and Megan Troutman. In the bottom of the fourth, Garza would hit a two run home run and Jaramillo and Brown each drove in another score each to make it 17-0.

In the circle, Gallegos continued her strong day. She pitched four of the five innings, giving up just two hits, no walks, and striking out a pair as she improved to 2-2 on the season.

With the two wins, Citrus improves to 3-2 on the year. The Owls will be back at home on Friday when they host another triangular with Long Beach City College and Cuesta College. The Owls start off against the Vikings at 2:30 PM.