Owls Secure Narrow Victory Over LA Mission, Stay Atop Conference

Citrus College Softball earned a 1-0 victory over Los Angeles Mission College on Tuesday, staying atop the Western State Conference-South standings with the win. 

The Owls improved to 21-14 overall and 9-2 in conference play, while the Eagles fell to 11-25 overall and 4-6 in WSC-South competition. 

It was a classic pitcher's duel from start to finish, with both teams struggling to find traction offensively. Citrus was held to just two hits, while LA Mission managed four. Solid defense on both sides kept the game scoreless through five innings. 

A turning point came in the top of the sixth. With a runner on first, LA Mission sent a deep fly ball to center field, where Ava Camarena made the catch and fired a strike back to first for a momentum-shifting double play. 

In the bottom of the sixth, with two outs and the game still tied, Madelyn Hajj—3C2A home run leader—came through in a big way. Hajj crushed her State-best 12th homer of the season, a solo shot that gave the Owls a 1-0 lead. 

Kelley (W, 15-10) kept her composure in the seventh, stranding runners on the corners by recording a strikeout and a groundout to close out the game and secure the shutout win. 

Stat Leaders: 

• Madelyn Hajj: 1-for-3, HR, RBI, R 

• Sofia Femath: 1-for-3, SB 

• Caitlin Kelley: 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 4 K 

Citrus will return to action on Thursday, April 17, hosting Antelope Valley College at 2:30 p.m.