Velazquez’s Two-Homer Game Powers Citrus Past LA Valley

No. 10 Citrus College Baseball defeated Los Angeles Valley College 6-2 at LAVC in game two of the three-game conference series on Thursday, April 16. The win improves the Owls to 26-10 overall and 13-4 in conference play.

Freshman second baseman Nick Velazquez powered the offense while the pitching staff delivered a strong combined effort in the road victory.

Citrus struck quickly in the second inning when Velazquez launched a two-run home run to right-center, scoring Jackson Gray. Later in the frame, Dominic Torrez added an RBI triple to bring home Julian Hines and extend the lead to 3-0.

Los Angeles Valley answered with a run in the bottom half of the inning, but the Owls maintained control behind steady pitching and timely hitting throughout.

Torrez added to the lead in the fifth with an RBI double that scored Hines, and Cam Casado extended the advantage in the sixth with a solo home run to make it 5-1.

After the Monarchs pushed across a run in the sixth, Velazquez capped the scoring in the ninth with his second home run of the game, a solo shot to seal the 6-2 win.

Velazquez finished 2-for-4 with two home runs—his fourth and fifth of the season—and three RBIs to lead the Owls. Torrez went 3-for-4 with a triple, double and two RBIs, while Casado added a home run—his team-leading 11th of the season—and an RBI as part of a 2-for-4 day. Hines reached base twice, scored twice and recorded a hit.

On the mound, Evan Ellis (W, 2-1) earned the win, allowing one run on two hits over four innings with seven strikeouts. Michael Moses followed with four innings of relief, giving up one run on six hits while striking out four. Ryan Harrison closed out the game, striking out two over the final two-thirds of an inning.

Citrus held Los Angeles Valley to two runs on eight hits while striking out 13 in the win.

The Owls will look to complete their second consecutive conference sweep when they host the Monarchs in game three on Saturday, April 18 at 2 p.m.