Glendora, CA (Softball) -- After suffering four straight losses in a pair of double-headers last week, the Citrus College softball team continued to turn things around on Thursday afternoon, as they followed up Tuesday’s 7-1 win at Glendale, with a pair of mercy rule wins over visiting Bakersfield College. The Lady Owls swept both games against the Renegades in five innings, winning 9-0 in the first and 9-1 in the second.
In the first of the two contests, Citrus capitalized on costly mistakes by Bakersfield scoring six unearned runs in the bottom of the third inning. Two of those six runs came thanks to a single to right field by Vivian Serna that scored Stephanie Zuniga and Danyelle Vasquez.
Citrus would put the game away for good in the fourth inning scoring three more runs, including an RBI single by Jennifer Fontan and an RBI bases loaded walk by Ashley Corrigan that helped push the Renegades over the edge.
With the Citrus offense taking advantage of Bakersfield errors, sophomore starter Kelly Martin was left to take care of business in the circle, and that’s exactly what she did. Martin threw a two hitter, struck out one batter, picked up her ninth victory, and recorded her third shut-out of the season.
The Lady Owls would pick back up right where they left off in game number two cashing in a run in the bottom of the first inning thanks to a bases loaded RBI walk by Valerie Torres. Citrus continued the onslaught in the second inning getting an RBI double from Courtney Mihm and back to back RBI singles from Amanda Herrera and Cassie Ward.
After Bakersfield got their first run of the day in the top of the third, the Lady Owls answered back with three more in the bottom of the fourth, and eventually put the game away for good in the fifth when Melissa Salas’ RBI double ended Bakersfield’s day.
Freshman Amanda Jauregui picked up her third win in the game, pitching five strong, giving up just four hits, and striking out one batter along the way.
With the pair of wins, Citrus improved to 12-8 overall and 7-5 in Western State Conference play, while Bakersfield fell to 7-15 overall and 2-6 in conference play. After spending the last few weeks on the road, Citrus will continue their current home stand this weekend as it plays host to San Diego City and Mt. San Jacinto in a triangular. The Lady Owls first game will be against San Diego City at 1:00 PM.
Box Score - Game 1
Box Score - Game 2