Top of Seventh Setbacks

Glendora, CA - The Citrus College Softball team played host to Long Beach City College and San Diego City College on Friday evening in a double-header for the Owls. Citrus had setbacks in the top of the seventh of each game, as they gave up game winning runs in that half inning in both contests in a 6-5 loss to Long Beach and 3-2 loss to San Diego.

 In the opening tilt with Long Beach, Citrus would draw first blood scoring three runs in the bottom of the third. Freshman Celine Spathias would drive in sophomore Haley Gomez via a RBI single back up the middle of the field. After that it was a pair of miscues by the Vikings that allowed the Owls to plate two more, including a passed ball that scored Spathias and an error by the shortstop that would bring in freshman Jade Nua. 

Long Beach would come back in the top of the fourth and score a pair to cut the Owls lead to one, but the Vikings would keep it going in the top of the fifth with two more to take their first lead 4-3. 

Citrus would tie the game up in the bottom of the fifth on a fielder's choice ground out by freshman Karissa Martinez. One inning later, the Owls would regain the lead in the bottom of the sixth when Spathia homered to left field to make it 5-4 heading into the top of the seventh. 

In the top of the seventh, Long Beach would lead the inning off with a one-out infield single, but that would be quickly erased when Spathias threw the runner out when she tried to steal second. Needing an out to get the win, Citrus just couldn't get out trouble as the next batter singled to center field and the batter after that hit a 2-0 pitch over the right field fence to put the Vikings back in front 6-5.

The Owls weren't able to mount a comeback in the bottom half of the inning as they went down in order. In the loss, Spathias led the way going 3 for 4 with 2 RBIs and 2 runs scored. Gomez finished 2 for 4 with a run. 

In the second game, Citrus turned the ball over to freshman Madeline Tickey in the circle for the first time this season. Tickey was strong with six solid innings of work, giving up just six hits and three walks. Unfortunately for the Owls, Citrus left 10 batters on the bases, meaning the three runs San Diego scored in the game were more than enough.

San Diego would land the first blow in the top of the second via a bases loaded RBI walk. It would take all the way until the bottom of the fifth, before Citrus came up with an answer. That when Gomez lifted a 2-1 pitch to left field scoring Martinez from third. The game would stay tied through the sixth, until the top of the seventh reared it's ugly head again. 

That's when the Knights scored two runs to back in front 3-1. Citrus would try to make a comeback in the bottom of the seventh, when Gomez took the first pitch of the inning and deposited over the left field fence to make it 3-2. Freshman Jade Nua would draw a two out walk, and sophomore Autumn Bartholomy, but that was the last of the rally as the game ended on a fielder's choice ground out. 

In the second loss, Gomez was once again 2 for 4 with another run, adding two RBIs. Nua would finish 2 for 3. 

With the two losses, Citrus falls to a 2-7 on the season. The Owls will hit the road on Monday for a meeting at State #12 Fullerton College. First pitch is set for 3:00 PM.