MARAUDER SOFTBALL TAKES STEP BACKWARDS IN LOSS TO CITRUS

Photo by Bruce Jacobsen

LANCASTER - Just when it seemed the Marauder softball team was back to its winning ways and playing so much better as of late, it suffered a setback in a 10-6 loss to Citrus College, Thursday afternoon.

The loss moved the Marauders (16-17, 9-6) into third place in the Western States Conference-Blue Division race, a half game behind Bakersfield College and four games behind first place College of the Canyons.

"Both teams hit the ball, but they hit it in between the gaps and we hit it right at them so we just got stuck," AVC pitcher Naelyse Garcia said. "I think some days we're not fully mentally prepared. We do some good things, but I think we can do better as a team all around. We just need to continue to hit like we have been all season and play good season. Maria (Acosta) and I both need to pitch more accurate."

With six games remaining it's pretty safe to say that the Marauders need all of them in their quest to make the playoffs. And they'll have to do it all away from home including their final two on the road against Bakersfield.

The Owls scored three in the first inning off Garcia and three in the fourth to grab a 6-2 lead. Acosta's eighth home run of the season in the bottom of the fifth inning trimmed Citrus' lead to 6-3. Acosta's home run was the 39th total for AVC hitters, tops in the state.

The Owls (14-21, 9-7) moved a half game closer to AVC in the standings, with six games remaining.

Citrus scored four more runs in the top of the seventh inning gave it a comfortable lead and the Marauders' desperation comeback fell short as they could only muster three more runs.