Glendora, CA (Baseball) -- Citrus College Baseball Head Coach Steve Gomez has announced his 2009 sophomore signings. A total of seven sophomores have signed on to continue their playing careers at the next level. This year’s class is the largest sophomore class to continue on since Gomez took the program over five years ago.
Leading the way for the Fighting Owls is Aaron Illhareguy who has signed on with NCAA Division I Binghamton University in New York. Illhareguy was 2-0 this year with a team high 5 saves and a 6.75 ERA. During his freshman campaign Illhareguy was also a 1st team All-WSC selection.
Moving on to the NCAA Division II level will be Julio Raymundo and Matt Baudino. Raymundo, who batted .315 with a team high 38 RBI’s and 10 home-runs, earned 1st team All-WSC honors this past season and will continue with Cal Poly Pomona.
Baudino was a front-line starter for the Fighting Owls all season long, going 4-4 with a 4.41 ERA and a .213 batting average against. Baudino, a All-WSC Honorable Mention selection in 2009, has excepted an offer to keep playing with Cal State East Bay.
The Fighting Owls will have three representatives at NAIA member William Penn next season. Chris Freedman, Evelio Ahumada, and Jesus Sanchez will all stay teammates at for the Statesman.
Freedman put together a strong 2009 campaign for the Fighting Owls, posting a 4-4 record and a 5.37 ERA. Of all the Citrus’ starters, Freedman walked a season low 15 batters while fanning 35.
Ahumada spent two seasons as Citrus’ starting shortstop batting .310 and driving in 32 runs along with earning an All-WSC Honorable Mention nod this past season.
Sanchez was Citrus’ most reliable middle-reliever during the 2009 season picking up 1st team All-WSC honors with a 3-1 record, 2 saves, and a team low 3.62 ERA.
Vincent Prado has also accepted an offer to continue playing next season, as Prado will suit up for the Leopard of NCAA Division III La Verne University. Prado caught 25 games for the Fighting Owls during the 2009 campaign batting .262.
Also moving on to continue his education at the four-year university level is Robert Dreyer. Dreyer will be attending UC Riverside in the fall, but will not be playing baseball. Dreyer was recently the recipient of the Mays Scholarship awarded by the Citrus College Foundation.