Owls’ Six-Run Second Secures 6–5 Win at Cypress

No. 20 ranked Citrus College Baseball defeated No. 4 ranked Cypress College 6–5 on the road yesterday, Tuesday, February 24, marking the Owls' second win over the Chargers this season—the first coming in a 10–4 home victory on January 29. The win improves Citrus to 10–4 overall, while Cypress also falls to 10–4.

Citrus erupted for for six runs in the second inning and held on, fueled by solid hitting and strong pitching. After falling behind 1–0 in the first on an unearned run, the Owls answered immediately. Jordan Daniels tied the game with a solo homer, Dominic Torrez followed with an RBI double, Dustin Yela drove in two more runs, Derek Almeda added an RBI single, and Daniels capped the frame with another run-scoring hit to make it 6–1.

Cypress battled back, cutting the lead to 6–5 with a solo homer in the third and three runs in the fourth, but Citrus' pitching staff preserved the advantage. Starter Tim Hudson (W, 4–1) earned the win, throwing 113 pitches over six innings while allowing five runs (four earned), striking out eight and walking one. Beau Lloyd contributed two scoreless innings with one strikeout, and Gabe Buranasiri earned his second save of the season, retiring the Chargers in order in the ninth.

The Owls' offense was balanced and efficient. Daniels went 2-for-3 with his second home run of the season, two RBIs, and a run scored. Torrez led the team with three hits, including a double, and an RBI. Yela added a two-RBI single and a run, Almeda contributed another RBI hit, and Garrett Patterson finished 2-for-4 with two runs scored, helping Citrus compile 11 hits in the game.

Citrus will travel to Riverside City College for their next game on Friday, February 27, to face No. 18 ranked Tigers at 3 p.m.