Getting It Done

Glendora, CA -- With their top two hitters held to a combined 2 for 13 on the day, the Citrus College Softball team just found a way to get things done on Tuesday afternoon when they hosted Los Angeles Valley College in a Western State Conference Blue Division double-header. The Owls got 15 innings of shutout ball from freshman pitcher Anissa Gallegos and came up with a 1-0 eight inning victory and a 4-0 win in game two.

In the opening contest, Citrus didn't rack up hits early, but they did have base runners in the first four innings. Citrus stranded all four though, and were left looking for answers late. Thankfully for the Owls, Gallegos stepped up in a big way, giving up just five total hits in eight innings of work, walking only two batters, and striking out six Monarchs.

With Gallegos holding her own in the circle, it was just a matter of time before something broke through. That happened in the bottom of the eighth inning, when sophomore Erinn Jaramillo led the inning off with a opposite field solo blast to right to win the game 1-0.

Game two started out similarly to game one with the Owls coming up empty through the first two innings. Freshman Stephanie Noriega finally put Citrus on the board with a triple to right field in the bottom of the third that plated sophomore Kiana "Kalei" Guillermo to make it 1-0.

Finally with a lead at her back, Gallegos kept plugging away in the circle. Gallegos pitched another seven shutout innings, surrendering eight total hits and two more walks in the second game, striking out four more LA Valley batters on the way.

Citrus would open the game up a little with two scores in the bottom of the fifth. Jaramillo picked up an RBI with a single through the left side of the field that brought in Guillermo. Three at bats later freshman Autumn Bartholomy hit a single that deflected off the Valley pitcher and brought in Noriega to make it 3-0. Guillermo would drive in the game's final run doubling to left-center field driving in sophomore Sandra "Gaby" Vera to make it 4-0.

With the two wins, Citrus improved to 19-6 overall and 8-1 in WSC Blue Division play. The two wins combined with a split by College of the Canyons at Glendale College pushed Citrus back in to first place. The Owls will have to continue to take care of business as they have another tough test on Thursday when they play host to Los Angeles Mission College at 2:30 PM.