The Citrus College softball team ended the season on a five-game winning streak, in which they outscored their opponents 39-9.
The Owls finished their season with a 14-0 win on April 24 at Glendale College.
Citrus finished the season 23-17 overall and 10-6 in conference play.
The Owls outscored their opponents 273-177 and had an overall batting average of .363. The Owls also had a team earned run average of 3.86.
Freshman Giavanna Muenz led the team with 42 hits and an ERA of 2.54, freshman Brooke Fuss led the team with five home runs.
Emily Paredez was the best starter for the Owls going 11-6 with 32 strikeouts and a 3.29 ERA.
Despite losing some players to injury, Owls freshman pitcher Becky Winder said that the team went through the adversity well.
“All the pitchers we had were girls who were not even recruited to pitch,” Winder said. “Going into freshman year Emily (Paredez) and I both had no idea that we would end up pitching in college. We took in that role of pitching and then by the start of spring season Gia (Muenz) and Letty (Morales) joined the pitching staff as well, with them not thinking they would pitch in college either.”
Becky Winder pitched nine complete games this season, which tied her with fellow freshman Emily Paredez.
The Owls will lose five sophomores next season.
Mia Escobar, Jacquelyn Preciado, Molly Montell, Leticia Morales and Valerie Ortiz will not return.
Ortiz led the team with her 34 runs batted in. Ortiz offered advice for the incoming freshman next year.
“For the incoming freshman, don’t take any team lightly,” Ortiz said. “Give 110 percent to the very last out and most importantly, have fun. Starting from the coaching, to the amazing group of girls that we have, the trainers that took amazing care of us and especially our fans, Citrus softball is the best place there could be.”
Owls head coach Terry Paredez said he thinks his team didn’t meet expectations.
“I think for the season, it’s a little disappointing,” Paredez said. “I think we’re better than where we stood in the standings as well as not getting into the playoffs, I think we had a strong team. Unfortunately, we faced a lot of adversity that we in some cases weren’t able to overcome. The girls were hard working and I’m proud of the team.”
Paredez said he wants to improve the team next season and that he wants to use this year as a learning experience.
“Well this year as your first year, you learn a lot about what’s going on in the program,” Paredez said. “What we need to improve, and that’s the vocal point of every year. We want to focus on where we can get better and continue to focus on that and that’s our goal.”
Freshman Giavanna Muenz led the team with 42 hits and an ERA of 2.54, freshman Brooke Fuss led the team with five home runs.
Emily Paredez was the best starter for the Owls going 11-6 with 32 strikeouts and a 3.29 ERA.
