Glendora, CA (Baseball) -- The Citrus College baseball team got it done in the field, on the mound, and in the batters box on Thursday afternoon, as it handed Bakersfield College just its fourth conference loss of the year with a 4-3 extra innings victory over the Renegades. The Fighting Owls committed no errors, got 10 strong innings from starter Aaron Chavez, and racked up 12 hits, twice as many as Bakersfield, in the win.
After giving up an eighth inning lead on Tuesday afternoon to Bakersfield, the Fighting Owls knew that they would have to get up on the Renegades early and keep it that way. They were able to take an early lead, but it was Citrus who would have the late inning heroics on Thursday.
The first run of the game would come in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Citrus’ Julio Raymundo hit a solo home-run over the right field fence. Bakersfield would answer the very next inning, when BC’s Fabian Rivera sent a double to left-center field that scored center fielder Tyler Garewal, tying up the game 1-1.
With the game tied up at one all, the pitchers took center stage. Citrus starter Aaron Chavez would pitch his best game of the season pitching all 10 innings of the game while giving up just six hits, with three walks, and six strike-outs.
Bakersfield’s starter, Jeremy Gonzaes was equally impressive, pitching 8 2/3 innings, all while surrendering 10 hits and striking out five Citrus batters. Gonzaes’ lone run between the fourth and seventh innings came on an unearned score by Citrus’ Manny Martinez.
With both pitchers making it difficult for either team to score, it would be Chavez who would be hit first, as he gave up two earned runs in the top of the seventh inning. Bakersfield’s Travis Morgan sent a single into left-center field driving in the BC runners on second and third, giving the Renegades a 3-2 lead.
The Fighting Owls would have an answer however, as Citrus’ Dennis Dunn scored off a Will Davis double to left-center field tying the game up a 3-3. With the game all tied up, Chavez took control never allowing a runner past second base, and facing just 11 batters in the final three innings, two above the minimum.
With the game still tied up at 3-3 in the bottom of the 10th, the Fighting Owls made their final move. After Citrus’ Manny Martinez led off the inning with a ground-out, freshman Damien Chavez got things going with a double off the right-center field wall.
With a runner on second and one out, Bakersfield chose to intentionally walk pinch-hitter Ryan Cornejo, to try and force a double-play ball. With runners on first and second, freshman Julie Raymundo strolled to the plate and hit a screaming ground ball to the short-stop that bounced over the short-stops head, driving in Chavez for the winning run.
With the win, the Fighting Owls improve to 16-16 overall and 7-9 in WSC South play, while pitcher Aaron Chavez’s record moves to 4-3. Citrus will hit the road this weekend for a WSC South match-up with Canyons College. Citrus split their first two meetings with the Cougars earlier in the year, losing at COC and winning at home. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM.
Box Score