Glendora, CA (Baseball) – Citrus freshman Kevin Park put together his best performance of the season thus far as he went 3 for 5 with 4 RBI’s including a game winning walk off home-run in the bottom of the ninth inning in Citrus’ 7-5 win over Canyons College on Tuesday afternoon.
It was Canyons who would control the score for most of the game opening up the top of the third inning with three runs, two off a double to right-center field by Cougar’s sophomore Kyle Harris. Citrus would answer in the bottom of the same inning with two runs of their own, after Park smashed a double to left-center that drove in Julio Raymundo and Manny Martinez.
Canyons would add on to their lead in the next inning, with Citrus keeping it a one run game in the bottom of the same inning when Martinez’s single drove in Tony Mancuso to make the score 3-4.
With Citrus trailing by a run, the Fighting Owls turned to their middle relief man, Chris Freedman, who pitched five strong innings giving up just four hits and one run, while striking out five batters. Freedman was at his best in the fifth and sixth innings when he sat the Canyons line-up down in order.
As they trailed by a run in the bottom of the sixth, the Fighting Owls caught somewhat of a break to pull even with Canyons and eventually grab the lead. Dennis Dunn would drive in the game tying run with a single that made the score 4-4. Two batters later, with the bases loaded, Canyons pitcher Nick Streit was called for a balk driving in Tony Mancuso to put Citrus ahead.
In the seventh, Canyons would finally get to Freedman. After he got the first batter to pop out and the second to strike out swinging, Freedman found himself with the bases loaded and two outs. He got out of the inning however, as he got Kyle Harris to ground out to end the threat and the inning.
Neither team would score in the eighth, bringing Canyons up to the plate in the ninth inning with the top of the order coming to the dish. With Freedman still on the mound, the Owls gave up a lead off walk to Tyreace House who promptly stole second base, which ended the day for Freedman and brought on Citrus closer Steven Becerra.
Becerra would get the first batter to fly out to left-field, but the hit was deep enough to move House to third with just one out. With the runner in scoring position, Brian Hernandez would rip a double to center field driving in House and tying up the game.
With the inning far from over, Citrus intentionally walked the next batter, Harris, putting runners on first and second with one out. Becerra would get the next batter to fly out, and brought up Canyons catcher Luis Perez.
Becerra would get Perez in a hole quickly with an 0-2 count, but on the third pitch Perez smacked a deep fly ball to left-center field. With Citrus’ lead flashing before their eyes, freshman out-fielder Brad Gomez made a sprint towards the ball and made a diving game saving catch to bring Citrus up to bat.
After making what would end up being the game saving catch, Gomez led off the bottom of the ninth with a walk, but Julio Raymundo would follow that up with a fielder’s choice, leaving a runner on first with one out, and Park strolling to the plate.
Park would take the first pitch ball, and smash the second pitch to deep left field. With the ball rising towards the fence, it moved just left and wound up foul. After falling just short of a walk-off home run on second pitch, Park made good on his third pitch hitting it much further than the second, as it flew over the left-center field wall, giving Citrus their first conference win of the season.
Becerra would be credited for the win, his first of the season, and Julio Raymundo would finish with the second best line of the day, going 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored. With the win, Citrus improves to 7-8 overall and 1-2 in WSC South play. Citrus will hit the road on Tuesday, as it travels to Canyons for a 2:00 PM match-up.
Box Score