Owls Seek to Bounce-Back Following Home Losses to Orange Coast, Antelope Valley

Citrus College Softball will look to bounce back after two tough mercy-rule losses at home to Orange Coast College, 14-6 in six innings on Friday, March 20, and No. 14 Antelope Valley College, 12-1 in six innings on Tuesday, March 24. Following the two setbacks, the Owls move to 20-9 overall and 5-1 in conference play.

In Friday's non-conference matchup against Orange Coast, Citrus jumped out to an early lead before falling 14-6. The Owls struck first, taking a 3-1 lead in the opening inning on a solo home run by Alivia Martinez, a run-scoring double from Jaelynn Eaves and an RBI single by Jocelyn Escobedo. After Orange Coast tied the game in the second, Citrus responded as Martinez delivered a two-run home run—her second of the game and first multi-homer performance as an Owl—to put Citrus back on top 5-3. Mia Godoy followed with an RBI double later in the inning to extend the lead to 6-3.

Orange Coast answered with a run in the third and evened the score at 6-6 in the fourth before pulling away with eight unanswered runs in the fifth to take control. Martinez paced the offense, finishing with two home runs—her sixth and seventh of the season—and three RBIs, while Eaves went 3-for-3 with a double, an RBI and two runs scored. Godoy added a 2-for-3 effort with an RBI, and Escobedo contributed an RBI single and two walks. On the mound, Brissa Ayon (16-5) took the loss, while Camila Abundis allowed one run on two hits in 2/3 of an inning of relief.

In Tuesday's conference loss to Antelope Valley, Citrus was limited offensively in a 12-1 defeat. Antelope Valley struck first with a two-run home run in the opening inning, added another run in the fourth, and broke the game open with a nine-run sixth inning to extend the lead to 12-0.

The Owls' lone run came in the sixth on a solo home run by Jaelynn Eaves, her team-leading ninth of the season. Grace Twente went 1-for-2, while Anaya Burley and Jocelyn Escobedo each added a hit. Citrus finished with four hits, drew one walk and struck out five times.

On the mound, Brissa Ayon (16-6) took the loss, allowing 11 runs (one earned) on 11 hits over 5 2/3 innings with two strikeouts. Natalie Carmona allowed one run in 1/3 of an inning in relief.

Citrus will look to get back on track with a pair of non-conference games on Saturday, March 28, traveling to Ventura College to face Fullerton at 12 p.m. before taking on Ventura College at 2 p.m.