Oxnard, CA (Baseball) -- The Citrus College Baseball team, on a three game losing streak, snapped that skid on Tuesday afternoon by making the most of what they got. The Owls mustered just four hits, but were patient at the plate with seven walks in a 5-4 win over host Oxnard College.
It took the Owls three innings to get their offense chugging on Tuesday. In the top of the third, sophomores Michael Hernandez and Andrew Chico led things off with back to back singles. Three at bats later, Hernandez crossed home plate after a RBI walk from freshman William Oullette.
Sophomore Shane Fraijo did the same in the next at bat, followed by an RBI single from freshman Mike Rowland, and an RBI groundout from sophomore Ricky Mount that gave Citrus an early 4-0 lead.
With the offense spotting him four runs in the third, sophomore Allende Esquivel made the most of his first start of his Citrus career. Esquivel went seven innings, spreading out five hits and two walks in that span, and struck out four batters. The only time the Condors got to Esquivel were for a single run in each of fourth and seventh innings.
The Owls added an insurance run in the top of the seventh thanks to an RBI double off the bat of Oullette. The run came in handy when Oxnard touched up relief pitcher and freshman Juan Cabral for a pair of runs that made it 5-4 Citrus after eight. Sophomore Mikey Ramirez came in, in the ninth inning and after hitting the first batter he faced, retired the next three to preserve the win.
In the win, Citrus was led by Oullette who was 1 for 3 with a run and two RBI’s. Esquivel (1-0) picked up the win, and Ramirez (1) got the save.
With the win, Citrus improves to 4-6 on the year. The Owls will be back at home on Thursday to take on the Condors yet again. First pitch is set for 2:00 PM.
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