Softball Sweeps Saturday's Games Against MSJC and OCC

No. 20 Citrus College softball picked up two wins on Saturday, January 31, defeating Mt. San Jacinto 13–1 and Orange Coast College 11–3, with both games ending in the fifth inning due to the mercy rule. With the victories, the Owls improved to 3–3 overall on the season.

Citrus hosted a three-way event with Mt. San Jacinto College and Orange Coast College, with Citrus starting the day against Mt. San Jacinto.

In the opener, Citrus scored four runs in the first inning. Grace Twente singled to left center to drive in Alivia Martinez, followed by an RBI single from Izzy Poveda that brought home Twente. Miranda McKiernan capped the inning with a two-run single, scoring Poveda and Jocelyn Escobedo. In the second, Twente stole second and advanced to third on an error, allowing Martinez to score on a passed ball. Mia Godoy then launched a two-run home run, driving in Jaelynn Eaves and extending the lead to 7–1.

Citrus added four runs in the third. With the bases loaded, Eaves drew a walk to force in Anaya Burley, and Godoy followed with a three-run single, plating Eaves, Brooke Whiteman, and Samantha Juarez. The scoring concluded in the fourth inning when Whiteman lifted a sacrifice fly to score Poveda, and Martinez doubled to bring home Burley, closing out the 13-run effort.

Offensively, Godoy led the Owls with five RBIs and a home run. Martinez went 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI, and a stolen base. Twente added two hits, an RBI, and two stolen bases. Poveda went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a double. McKiernan drove in two runs, Whiteman had an RBI via sacrifice fly, and both Juarez and Burley recorded two hits each, with Burley adding a double. Citrus totaled four extra-base hits and stole bases via Martinez and Twente (2). Brissa Ayon earned the win, pitching a complete five innings and allowing one run on eight hits with one strikeout and no walks.

In the nightcap against No. 11 Orange Coast College, Citrus again jumped on the scoreboard, answering after Orange Coast scored a run in the top of the first. Eaves lifted a sacrifice fly and reached on an error, allowing Twente and Martinez to score. Poveda followed with an RBI single to give Citrus a 3–1 lead. In the second inning, Martinez launched a solo home run, her first as an Owl, and Eaves later scored on a wild pitch.

The Owls broke the game open in the third inning. Whiteman crushed a two-run home run, scoring Juarez, followed by RBI singles from Eaves and Escobedo, and a two-RBI single from Juarez that drove in Escobedo and Godoy, giving Citrus an 11–2 lead. Orange Coast scored an unearned run in the fourth, but Citrus held on to secure the 11–3 win.

Citrus totaled 11 runs on nine hits with six walks and multiple stolen bases. Martinez went 1-for-3 with two runs, a home run, an RBI, a walk, and a stolen base. Twente added two hits, two runs, and three stolen bases. Eaves went 1-for-2 with three runs, two RBIs, and a sacrifice fly. Godoy had a hit, a run, a walk, and a stolen base. Poveda and Escobedo each drove in a run. McKiernan drew two walks, and Juarez contributed two RBIs. Whiteman finished 1-for-3 with two RBIs and a home run. Citrus committed two errors, by Eaves and Whiteman. Brissa Ayon (W, 3-2) pitched five innings, allowing three runs on six hits with one walk and one strikeout.

Up next, Citrus will host No. 13 Saddleback College on Tuesday, February 2, at 2 p.m.