Monarchs Pull Out Victory Over Owls

Citrus College dug deep and rallied back but couldn't overcome LA Valley in the series opener.

The Owls slip to 10-11 overall and 3-1 in Western State Conference action, while the Monarchs improve to 13-7, 2-2.

Three Owls finished with two hits in the game, with Santiago Castro finishing 2-for-3. Devon Diaz went 2-for-4 with two runs and one RBI and Robert Valdivia went 2-for-5 with two RBIs. Matthew Espinoza scored three runs and had three walks at the plate.

The Monarchs scored four runs in the top of the first and two more in the second to put the Owls on their heels early.

Citrus answered back with three in the bottom of the third to cut the deficit in half, 6-3. With bases loaded and no outs, a wild pitch scored the first run, before Chad Green drove in the second run with a ground out. Conner McKinney sent Diaz in with a double down the left-field line.

LA Valley responded with two runs in the fourth, but the Owls answered with another three-run inning. Diaz started the scoring spree with an RBI double, before Valdivia singled to right to send another run in. The Monarchs looked like they might get out of the inning, but the right fielder dropped a fly ball, allowing Diaz to touch home, 8-6.

The Owls kept rallying and pulled within one in the sixth. With one out, Espinoza drew one of his walked and was joined on base by Diaz. Valdivia knocked a hard double down the left-field line to send Espinoza home, but the Owls couldn't keep the rally going.

It came down to the final inning of action where the Monarchs had managed to get the first two outs. They looked to get the third one but a botch throw kept the inning alive. Christian Barajas came in to run and stole second before making his way to third on a throwing error. He was left stranded, however, as the game ended on a called strikeout.

Citrus and LA Valley continue the series in Van Nuys, Calif., on Thursday at 2:30 p.m.