Owls’ Season Ends in Regional Decider, Finish with Most Wins Since 2015

The South No. 6-seed Citrus College softball team saw its season come to a close Saturday after dropping games two and three of the 3C2A Southern California Regional to Saddleback College. The Owls finish the year 28-15 overall, marking the program's most wins since 2015.

Citrus entered Saturday with a 1-0 series lead following a walk-off victory in Friday's opener but was unable to secure the series on day two.

In game two, a three-run first inning proved to be the difference in a 4-2 loss. Saddleback took an early 3-0 lead before Citrus responded in the second inning when designated player Miranda McKiernan launched a two-run home run, her fifth of the season, to cut the deficit to one.

The Owls were unable to build on the momentum, as Saddleback answered with a run in the second inning and held Citrus scoreless the rest of the way.

McKiernan led the offense, going 2-for-3 with two RBIs. Izzy Poveda added a hit and a run scored, while Jaelynn Eaves recorded the Owls' other hit as Citrus was limited to four total hits.

In the circle, Brissa Ayon (L, 22-11) went the distance, allowing four runs on six hits while striking out four and walking none over six innings.

In the deciding game three, another fast start proved costly as Citrus fell 6-4.

Saddleback scored four runs in the top of the first inning before the Owls answered with their most productive inning of the series. Jocelyn Escobedo delivered an RBI single to get Citrus on the board, and Miranda McKiernan later reached on an error that allowed two runs to score. Aalijah Aranda followed with an RBI single to tie the game at 4-4.

Saddleback regained the lead in the third inning with a two-run home run and held Citrus scoreless over the final four innings.

Escobedo led Citrus at the plate, going 2-for-4 with an RBI and a run scored. Alivia Martinez, Grace Twente, Jaelynn Eaves, McKiernan, Aranda and Anaya Burley each recorded a hit as the Owls finished with eight hits.

Citrus threatened throughout but left nine runners on base while drawing four walks.

Ayon (L, 22-12) again went the distance in the circle, allowing six runs on 11 hits with two strikeouts and three walks over seven innings.

The loss caps a strong season for the Owls, highlighted by the program's first 3C2A Southern California Regional victory in over a decade and a fourth consecutive postseason appearance.