Citrus Baseball’s Historic Season Ends in 3C2A Super Regionals
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Santa Ana | 1 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 6 | 12 | 1 |
|
Citrus | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 12 | 1 |
Citrus College baseball concluded its historic 2026 season with a 6-2 loss to Santa Ana College in game two of the 3C2A Super Regionals on Friday, May 8, at Don Sneddon Field.
The Owls wrapped up their best season in nearly two decades with a 33-13 overall record, marking the program's most wins since 2009 and its first 30-win season since 2003.
Citrus totaled 12 hits in the contest but stranded 13 runners on base as Santa Ana advanced to the 3C2A Regional Finals.
The Dons opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI single to take a 1-0 lead before adding two more runs in the third inning to extend the advantage to 3-0.
Citrus responded in the top of the third inning when Derek Almeda scored on Jordan Daniels' RBI double down the left-field line. Jackson Gray followed with an RBI single to left-center, cutting the deficit to 3-2.
Santa Ana answered with a solo home run in the fifth inning to push the lead to 4-2 before adding two unearned runs in the eighth inning for the 6-2 final.
Almeda led the Owls offensively, finishing 2-for-5 with a run scored, while Gray went 2-for-4 with an RBI. Daniels added a double and RBI, and Julian Hines and Dominic Torrez each recorded two-hit performances. Joe Gilkeson added a pinch-hit double in the ninth inning.
On the mound, Conner Luetto (5-2) took the loss after allowing three runs on seven hits across 3 1/3 innings. Garrett Patterson tossed four innings in relief, surrendering three runs — one earned — while striking out one. Ryan Harrison recorded two outs in relief, and Tim Hudson closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning and two strikeouts.
The Owls' historic season also included nine all-conference selections and a standout campaign from first baseman Cam Casado, who earned Western State Conference South Position Player of the Year honors.
First-year head coach Andy Smith praised his team after the Owls' historic season.
"It is a blessing being here surrounded by such great players and people."