Eaves’ Walk-Off Homer Lifts Citrus Past Saddleback in Regional Opener

The No. 6-seeded Citrus College Softball team opened the 3C2A Southern California Regional with a dramatic 4-3 walk-off win over No. 10-seeded Saddleback College on Friday in Game 1 of a best-of-three series.

The Owls (28-13) trailed early and did not take their first lead until the final swing of the game, erasing a three-run deficit with a late rally to secure their first regional win since 2015 and give head coach Jessica Brown her first postseason victory.

Saddleback struck first with a run in the second inning and added two more in the sixth to take a 3-0 advantage entering the late innings.

Citrus began its comeback in the bottom of the sixth. Jocelyn Escobedo drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to score Grace Twente, who finished 3-for-4 to pace the offense. Moments later, Aalijah Aranda reached on a fielding error that allowed another run to score, cutting the deficit to 3-2 heading into the seventh.

After Brissa Ayon retired the side in order in the top of the seventh, Citrus quickly created pressure in the final frame. Alivia Martinez reached base and moved into scoring position after a Saddleback error, setting the stage for the Owls' state RBI leader.

Jaelynn Eaves delivered the decisive moment, launching a walk-off home run to right field that scored Martinez and sealed the 4-3 victory.

Twente accounted for nearly half of Citrus' six hits, while Mia Godoy added a hit and helped turn a key double play defensively. Martinez reached base twice and scored a run as Citrus kept constant pressure late.

In the circle, Ayon (W, 22-10) earned the win with a complete-game performance, allowing three runs on eight hits while striking out two and walking two. She worked through traffic throughout the game to keep Citrus within striking distance.

Citrus finished the game with four unanswered runs, completing the comeback in walk-off fashion to take a 1-0 series lead.

Game two is set for Saturday, May, 2 at 2 p.m. with game three (if necessary) at 4 p.m.