Glendora, CA (Softball) – The Citrus College softball team, ranked #5 in Southern California, looked sharp in a non-conference match against SoCal’s #13 Chaffey College. The Lady Owls recorded 12 hits over 6 innings to grab an 8-2 victory.
As always Corinne Milligan was solid from the circle giving up only 2 runs on 3 hits. Milligan struck out 7 in 7 innings of work, going the distance for the complete game. Milligan’s only real hiccup came in the top of the 3rd inning. After striking out the first batter, Milligan hit Kim Howard putting her on first base. The very next batter, Melissa Rodriguez, stepped up to the plate and mashed a 2-run home-run over the center-field fence.
As for the Lady Owls’ offense, things are clicking. After enduring a mid-season slump, it would be seem as if all cylinders are going just two weeks before playoffs begin. The Lady Owls put up runs in each of their first 5 innings. The only inning in which Citrus failed to put a run on the board was in the 6th inning.
After Chaffey tied things up at 2 in the top of the third, the Lady Owls came alive. Corinne Milligan led things off by reaching 1st base off Melissa Rodriguez’s error at short-stop. Jessica Alvarez sacrifice bunted Milligan to second, before Melanie Hansen’s single up the left field line scored Milligan giving the Lady Owls a one run advantage. Citrus wasn’t done there however as Ashlie Paredez ripped a double to the fence in right-center field, scoring Hansen and putting the Lady Owls up by 2 runs.
The Lady Owls hit parade continued in the bottom of the fourth with two more runs, and continued on into the bottom of the 5th inning. After Jasmine Felix struck-out, Rachel Luna hit a single up the middle to get the Citrus rally going. Caitlin Tolan got on base after getting hit by a pitch, and Denise Hernandez loaded the bases up with a single to right-field. After Milligan got caught looking, Jessica Alvarez strolled to the plate with 2 outs and roped a double to left-center field scoring 2 runs to put the Citrus lead at 8-2.
With the win the Lady Owls improve to 32-9 on the season. After taking over the most total wins in a season by a Citrus softball team last week, the 2007 Lady Owls continue to stake their claim as one of the best Citrus softball teams of all-time. Corinne Milligan also ran her record to 23-6 with the win.
The Lady Owls will be at home again on Thursday as they host Santa Monica for a Western States Conference double-header. The first game will start at 1:00 pm.
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