Citrus College baseball kept its season alive at home on May 3, rallying for two wins at Citrus College to claim the 3C2A Southern California Regional.
In game one the Owls rolled past Pasadena City College 14-5 on May 1, at Citrus College, marking the program’s first Southern California Regional victory in 15 years. The Owls set the tone early, scoring in six different innings and jumping out to an 11-0 lead through four. A two-run home run in the first inning sparked the offense, and Citrus never let up.
In game two, Cypress College beat the Owls 8-7 in a back-and-forth matchup. Citrus held down the stretch, but was still defeated. Putting themselves in a tough position moving forward in the double-elimination bracket.
After falling in a close game three on May 3, the Owls entered Sunday needing a sweep to advance. They delivered, beating Cypress 12-3 that morning.
Then finishing the job with a 6-2 win in the decisive game five at their home field.
Saturday’s loss came late, as Citrus gave up the lead in the final innings, setting up a win-or-go-home day.
In game four, Citrus took control in the middle innings. A grand slam in the third erased an early loss and gave the Owls the lead, and they continued to boost the score while the pitching kept Cypress in check.
Citrus jumped out front with a two-run home run in the first inning and answered immediately after Cypress briefly tied it, using a three-run inning to take back the lead for good.
The Owls closed it out with strong pitching and timely hitting, completing the comeback and advancing.
Citrus now moves on to 32CA Super Regionals, facing Santa Ana College at 2 p.m., May 7, at Santa Ana College, where they will need to beat them two out of three to advance.
