Glendora, CA (Baseball) -- Sophomore Matthew Hart and Freshman Justin Arecenaux combined to pitch seven shut-out innings of relief in #10 Citrus’ 6-3 2win over #18 Glendale on Thursday afternoon. The duo gave up just four hits and struck out seven batters between the two of them, as Citrus picked up their 13th win of the season.
Glendale would start off the game in impressive fashion picking up a three spot in the second inning and chasing Citrus starter Nathan Rollon after just one and two-thirds innings of work. Citrus would get a little response in the bottom of the second when Luis Hernandez sent a solo blast over the left field fence, his third long fly of the year.
With Rollon giving way to a cruising Hart, Citrus’ offense got their big inning in the fourth, when following a Luis Zeledon RBI single to right, Nicholas Bergara came to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs. Bergara made the Vaqueros pay, ripping a 2-2 pitch up the left field line for a 3 RBI double.
Leading 6-3, Citrus’ relief staff shut down the Vaqueros. Glendale would get an opportunity in the eighth inning when they finally chased Hart after he gave up a one out single to center field. In came freshman Justin Grijalva who has been nails all season long for Citrus, except for on Thursday. After striking out his first batter, Grijalva walked the next batter and hit the following batter, loading up the bases with two outs.
In form the bullpen came Arecenaux who got the batter to pop out to short, before striking out three batters in the ninth as he picked up his third save of the year. Hart would get credit for the win, as his record improved to 3-0.
With the win, Citrus improves to 13-5 overall and 4-2 in WSC South play, while Glendale falls to 10-9 overall and 2-4 in conference games. The Fighting Owls will be back at home on Saturday as they play host to LA Mission. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM.
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