New Era Begins for Citrus College Baseball in 2026
Citrus College baseball is set for a fresh start in 2026 under first-year head coach Andy Smith, who spent the past four seasons at Chaffey College, leading the Panthers to more than 100 wins and three consecutive Inland Empire Athletic Conference championships from 2023-25.
The Owls feature a roster of 18 sophomores and 14 freshmen, including three returning players from last year: Dustin Yela, Isaac Nava and Matthew Martinez. Pitching is a strength with 16 arms, including standout sophomore Pre-Season All-American Conner Luetto. Many pitchers hail from local high schools, including Glendora, Bonita and Upland.
The position players include local standouts such as Garrett Patterson, a two-way catcher and right-handed pitcher from Bonita High School. Smith praised the roster's balance and depth.
"This is such an exciting group. There's a lot of versatility," Smith said. "In past years, my rosters have been top-heavy, but this year it's evenly balanced. On any given day, we could see major contributions from almost anyone. I have nearly two full lineups of quality hitters, 16 pitchers who can compete at any time. We're blessed with a really talented group of guys who care."
The Owls open their 2026 season in January with a mix of scrimmages and early-season games. The first matchup is a scrimmage against Mt. San Jacinto on January 17 at 12 p.m., which will feature a pre-game Alumni Celebration starting at 9:30 a.m., including batting practice for Citrus College alumni. Citrus Athletics Hall of Famer Skip Claprood will also be in attendance. A preseason exhibition against San Diego Mesa follows on Tuesday, January 20.
Citrus continues the month with home games against Fullerton for Opening Day on Friday, January 23 at 1 p.m. , Pasadena City, Golden West, Cypress, and Imperial Valley. February brings both home and road matchups, including trips to Rio Hondo, San Diego City, and Pasadena City, along with home contests against Santa Barbara, Modesto, and Ohlone, and a key road game at Cypress. March marks the start of conference play, with series against Glendale, Bakersfield, Mt. San Antonio, Palomar, Canyons, and LA Mission. April concludes the regular season with more conference competition against LA Mission, Antelope Valley, LA Valley, and West LA, alternating between home and away games to challenge the team throughout the season.
The Owls are seeking their first postseason appearance since 2019.