Owls Even Series With 8-7 Win Over Glendale

No. 14 ranked Citrus College defeated No. 21 ranked Glendale College 8-7 at home today, Thursday, March 7 in game two of the three-game conference series with the Vaqueros. The Owls improve to 12-6 overall and 1-1 in conference play.

After dropping a close game one to Glendale on Tuesday, the Owls bounced back at home in another competitive conference matchup with the Vaqueros. Glendale opened the scoring in the top of the third inning with an RBI triple to take a 1-0 lead. Citrus quickly responded in the bottom of the inning when Derek Almeda delivered a two-RBI double to left field, scoring Joe Gilkeson and Nick Velazquez to give the Owls a 2-1 lead. Cole West followed with an RBI double that brought home Almeda and extended the Citrus lead to 3-1.

Glendale answered in the top of the fourth inning with a two-RBI double to tie the game at 3-3. The Owls responded immediately in the bottom of the inning when Garrett Patterson launched a three-run home run down the right-field line, his first home run of the season, scoring Gilkeson and Velazquez to put Citrus back in front 6-3.

Citrus added to its lead in the fifth inning when Cole West hit a two-run home run to right field, his third home run of the season, scoring Almeda and extending the Owls' advantage to 8-3.

Glendale mounted a late rally in the eighth inning with a grand slam to cut the deficit to 8-7, but Citrus held on to secure the conference victory.

Cole West led the Owls at the plate, going 3-for-4 with a double, a home run and three RBIs. Garrett Patterson had a perfect day, finishing 3-for-3 with a double, a home run and three RBIs. Derek Almeda went 2-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and two runs scored. Joe Gilkeson scored twice and reached base three times with a hit and two walks, while Nick Velazquez scored two runs and drew two walks with a stolen base. Jordan Daniels added a hit as Citrus recorded four extra-base hits in the win.

On the mound, Conner Luetto (W, 1-1) delivered a career-best start for the Owls, tossing seven innings while allowing three runs on six hits with three walks and a collegiate career-high 10 strikeouts. Sean York recorded one out in relief before Matthew Martinez (Sv, 2) closed out the game, pitching the final 1.2 innings and allowing just one hit while striking out two to secure his second save of the year.

The Owls and Vaqueros will meet back in Glendale on Saturday, March 7 for the series finale at 1 p.m.