Glendora, CA (Baseball) – Citrus College sophomore Mike Ahumada picked up his first win of the season, while his freshman brother Evelio Ahumada helped Mike’s cause with a solo home-run and a catch that ended a four run Mt. SAC eighth inning, as the Fighting Owls earned a 6-5 win over the Mounties on Friday afternoon. The win was the second in as many days for the Owls, as they sweep their two non-conference games against their geographical rival.
Citrus wasted no time in getting on the board, as sophomore Damien Chavez’s sacrifice fly to center-field scored Will Davis in the bottom of the first inning. The Owl’s added another run in the next inning, as the younger Ahumada smashed a pitch over the left-field fence giving Citrus a 2-0 lead.
While the offense was busy jumping out to an early lead, the elder Ahumada was taking care of business on the mound. Ahumada pitched seven sterling innings, giving up just two runs, while surrendering seven hits and striking out five batters. Ahumada’s only two runs came on two solo jacks one in the fourth and one in the top of the eighth.
After Evelio Ahumada’s solo shot in the second, the Owls added three more in the third thanks in large part to Manny Martinez’s lead off double off the center-field wall. Citrus would add one more run in the bottom of the fourth, and would take a 6-1 lead all the way into the eighth inning.
Mt. SAC’s home-run in the eighth of Mike Ahumada, jump started a four run inning that pulled the Mounties to within a run of the Citrus lead. The Fighting Owls were finally able to stop the bleeding when the younger Ahumada snagged a line drive and threw the ball to second base to get a double play and Citrus out of the inning.
Although Citrus had bases loaded with one out in the bottom of the eighth, the Owls failed to grab an extra insurance run, sending Steven Becerra to the mound to close out the game with a one run lead in the top of the ninth. Becerra was able to complete the task in four batters, as he picked up his third save of the season.
With the win, Ahumada’s record improves to 1-4 on the season, while the Fighting Owls improve to a game under .500, at 13-14. Citrus will resume its WSC South play next week, as it opens up Tuesday with a trip to LA Mission College. First pitch is set for 2:30 PM.
Box Score