Glendora, CA (Baseball) -- The Citrus College Baseball team played two on Saturday afternoon, opening up their 2012 home slate against El Camino and East LA Colleges. The Owls split their double-header beating El Camino 5-2 and losing in 10 innings to East LA 8-3.
In the opening act, Citrus piggy backed off a gem from sophomore starting pitcher Mikey Ramirez to get the W. Ramirez went seven and two-thirds innings scattering five hits and two runs, while striking out eight batters. Before the eighth inning, Ramirez had thrown a two hitter, with both hits coming in the first inning.
With Ramirez being darn near perfect on the mound, the Citrus offense bided it’s time and took advantage of their situation. The Owls scored their first run in the second inning thanks to an RBI groundout from sophomore Robert Wiley that scored freshman William Oulette.
The Owls put three more runs on the board in the bottom of the third, with RBI’s coming in succession from sophomore Ricky Mount, freshman Remington Miller, and Oulette. Citrus’ final run came in the bottom of the fifth when sophomore Michael Hernandez drove a ball into right field that scored freshman Mike Rowland to give the Owls their five runs.
In the win, Citrus was led by Oulette who picked up two of Citrus’ four hits, scoring a run and driving in another.
In the second game of the double-header sophomore starting pitcher Daniel Clark made his debut after a year’s absence. After giving up a pair of hits and run in the opening inning, Clark settled down and into a rhythm going eight strong. Clark spread out 10 hits and three runs, striking out four batters in the process, giving Citrus a good chance to get a win.
The Owls took some time offensively to get into the mix. Citrus’ only score in the first five innings, came on a RBI groundout double play from Miller in the bottom of the second. Citrus would head into the sixth down two runs and needing something to happen soon. That’s when sophomore Shane Fraijo stepped to the plate with two outs and a runner on.
Fraijo launched a 2-0 pitch over the left field fence to tie the game up at three all. That would be the last offense Citrus mustered the rest of the game though. With the exception of an error in the bottom of the 10th, the Owls were set down in order over the final four innings.
With the offense struggling, the Owls relief core did their best to keep Citrus in the game, escaping a jam in the ninth inning. It all fell apart in the top of the 10th as East LA exploded for five runs, handing Citrus their second loss of the year.
With the win and loss, Citrus’ record moves to 1-2 on the year. The Owls will be on the road on Tuesday to take on Mt. San Jacinto College. First pitch is set for 2:00 PM.
Box Score vs El Camino
Box Score vs East LA