Citrus Owls Softball team starts conference games undefeated at 3-0 heading into the game against Antelope Valley.
With their hot start to conference games Citrus was unable to score against Antelope Valley College where opposing pitcher Madison Reiser pitched six shutout innings accumulating 14 strikeouts with 62% pitch-to-strike ratio. Leading the AVC Marauders to their fifth straight win and 3-0 start in conference.
How did the Owls prepare to face a Marauders team coming to Glendora on a six game win streak?
“We didn’t really worry about that stuff.” Head coach Jackie Boxley said. “We’ve taken some lumps this year, so we worry about ourselves. Yesterday was a day of preparing and trying to get ready for today with defense and hitting. But, it didn’t work out for us today.”
Boxley recognized the strength of opposing pitcher Reiser who was “Dealing.” The Marauders held the Owls to zero runs as well as handing the Owls their first loss for conference games.
March 29th the owls were stuck in a similar situation when facing Bakersfield. Opposing pitcher Talia Neilsen who was able to pitch not only a complete game, but keep the Owls scoreless on only three hits through seven innings.
“It felt great to know that we were starting off strong as a whole together.” Catcher and outfielder Patty Rodriguez said. “I know what my team is capable of and I know we will always make a comeback. Everyone makes mistakes but that’s part of the game.”
Citrus pitcher Jaydin Harris has had her work cut out for her, as the previous three games have had her on the mound for the entirety of the contest. Harris has a heavy workload to carry on her shoulders, but the rest of the Owls defense has been there to assist her in order to keep her pitch count low and help the team accumulate wins as the season comes closer to finishing.
The Owls look to bounce back after three losses in a row that found the Citrus softball team completely scoreless.
Citrus softball came out strong in their most recent contest against ELAC where the Owls found themselves ending their scoring drought. Winning the game 12-3 due to the run-rule. With the “mercy rule” being applied the Owls look to carry this momentum into their remaining games.
“I personally feel we can keep that momentum going by keeping our energy up…As long as we continue to pick each other up and have each other’s backs no one will be able to stop us.” Rodriguez said. “No one can do it alone, it takes the whole team to want that win and we all do.”
As the season nears the end the Citrus softball team has their next conference contest against LA Canyon Tuesday.
There are five games left in the season as the Owls currently stand at 4-4 in conference games and 12-21 overall. They look to improve on their record and finish conference games over .500.
The Citrus softball team is hitting the end of their schedule where every game excluding one being a conference game.
As the Owls season comes to a finale their chances of making a playoff push for the CCCAA state championship has slipped from their grasp. The remainder of the season the Owls are playing for pride.
