Owls Offense Powers Doubleheader Sweep of Moorpark

Citrus College softball swept its doubleheader at Moorpark College, routing the Raiders 17-8 in five innings in the opener (mercy rule) before pulling out a 5-4 win in eight innings in game two.

With the sweep, Citrus improves to 7-3 overall, while Moorpark drops to 4-4.

In game one, Citrus jumped on Moorpark early and never let up, scoring 17 runs over the first three innings. Jaelynn Eaves set the tone with a three-run homer in the first, then added a two-run double and an RBI single as Citrus built a big cushion. A sacrifice fly by Jocelyn Escobedo in the second and a solo homer by Miranda Mckiernan in the third kept the pressure on, while productive outs and a string of RBI hits from Alivia Martinez, Grace Twente, Brooke Whiteman and others capitalized on Moorpark miscues. By the end of the third, Citrus had blown the game open with an 11-run inning highlighted by extra-base hits and two unearned runs that pushed the lead to 17-4. Moorpark answered with four runs in the bottom of the fourth, but it was not enough to extend the game past the fifth under the mercy rule.

The Owls' offense was relentless in the opener, finishing with 13 hits and 17 runs, led by a monster day from the top and middle of the order. Alivia Martinez sparked things out of right field, going 2 for 2 with three runs, two RBIs, a double, a triple and a sacrifice fly, while Grace Twente added a 2-for-3 line with two runs, a double, an RBI and a stolen base from center. At third base, Jaelynn Eaves powered the attack by going 3 for 4 with three runs, six RBIs, a double and a home run, and catcher Brooke Whiteman chipped in a 2-for-3 effort with three runs, a double and an RBI. Designated player Miranda Mckiernan went 2 for 3 with a homer and an RBI, and contributions from Izzy Poveda, Samantha Juarez and the rest of the lineup helped Citrus total nine RBIs, five walks and plenty of traffic on the bases in the 17-8 win. In the circle, Brissa Ayon (W, 6-1) picked up the win pitching all five innings.

In game 2 Citrus struck first, grabbing a 1-0 lead in the first inning when Mia Godoy grounded out to shortstop to bring home Alivia Martinez. In the top of the second, Martinez delivered again with an RBI single to center field to make it 2-0. Moorpark chipped away with single runs in the third and fifth to tie it, then Citrus briefly reclaimed control in the seventh on Godoy's two-run single that scored Grace Twente and Martinez for a 4-2 lead. Moorpark answered with a two-run homer in the bottom of the seventh to force extras, but in the eighth, catcher Brooke Whiteman came through with a solo home run to left that proved to be the game-winner in a 5-4 Citrus victory.

Citrus had another strong showing in game two, recording 11 hits in the 5-4 extra-inning win. Alivia Martinez was solid again, going 4-for-5 with two runs, an RBI, a double, a stolen base and four of the Owls' 11 hits out of the leadoff spot. Grace Twente added a 2-for-5 effort with a run scored from center, while Jaelynn Eaves chipped in a double as part of a 1-for-3 line with a walk. In the middle of the order, Mia Godoy went 2-for-4 with two RBIs, including the seventh-inning single that briefly put Citrus back on top, and catcher Brooke Whiteman delivered the clutch hit with a solo home run in the eighth to finish 1-for-2 with a walk and two runs scored. Contributions from Izzy Poveda and the rotating second-base duo of Aalijah Aranda and Samantha Juarez helped Citrus keep pressure on Moorpark throughout. Brissa Ayon (W, 7-1) pitched all eight innings, only allowing four earned runs.

Citrus will take thier six-game winning streak to Saddleback College next Tuesday, February 10 for a 2 p.m. matchup with the Bobcats.