Softball Opens 2026 Season 1-1 With Win Over Southwestern, Loss to El Camino

No. 17 in the state ranked Citrus College Softball opened the 2026 season with a 1-1 split on Opening Day, Friday, January 23, defeating Southwestern College 14–9 before falling to No. 5 in the state ranked El Camino College 13–7.

In the first game of the season, the Owls overcame early deficits in a high-scoring affair against Southwestern College. Sophomore Jaelynn Eaves got things started with a solo home run in the bottom of the first inning. The Jaguars responded with four runs in the top of the second, but Citrus answered with three runs of its own to tie the game at 4–4.

Southwestern briefly regained the lead in the fourth inning, but Citrus countered with a three-run frame to take a 7–5 advantage. Alivia Martinez then doubled home Brooke Whiteman to extend the lead to 8–5. The Jaguars rallied with four runs in the sixth, but the Owls erupted for six runs in the bottom half to seal a 14–9 victory. Key RBI contributions came from Desteny Garcia (2 RBIs), Whiteman (2 RBIs), Eaves (RBI double), and Mia Godoy (RBI single).

Citrus finished with 15 hits, led by Eaves, who went 2-for-3 with a home run, three RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. Whiteman debuted with a perfect 3-for-3 performance, three RBIs, two runs scored, and a walk. Godoy added three hits and two RBIs, while Garcia scored three runs with two RBIs and two walks. At the top of the lineup, Martinez went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, a run scored, and a stolen base, while Grace Twente contributed two hits, an RBI, a run, and a walk. Brissa Ayon earned the win, pitching six strong innings.

In the second game, Citrus faced No. 5 in the state El Camino College. After falling behind 1–0 in the top of the first, the Owls exploded for five runs in the bottom of the inning, taking a 5–1 lead. Citrus added two more in the second inning on an Eaves RBI double and a Godoy RBI single to make it 7–1.

That would be all the scoring for the Owls, however, as El Camino answered with 12 runs while holding Citrus' offense in check. Citrus was led offensively by Eaves again, going 2-for-4 with a double, three RBIs, and two runs scored. Miranda McKiernan chipped in with a double and two RBIs, while Godoy added two hits and an RBI. At the top of the lineup, Martinez went 2-for-4 with two runs scored, a double, and two stolen bases, and Twente contributed a hit, a run scored, and a stolen base as Citrus employed aggressive baserunning to create scoring opportunities.

Citrus will return home to host San Diego Mesa College on Friday, January 30 with a doubleheader at 12 p.m. and 2 p.m.