Seven sophomore baseball players have signed on to play at four-year universities on athletic scholarships.
The group includes sophomores Justin Grijalva, Justin Arceneaux, Charles Ball, Nicholas Bergara, Tyler Baily Ronnie Blagg and Scott Stephenson.
Just Grijalva will continue his baseball career for NCAA Division I Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. During his freshman season, Grijalva was the Fighting Owls’ middle relief pitcher. Following that season, he stepped into a starter’s role in 2011, going 2-8 with a 5.7 ERA. Grijalva was second on the team’s pitching staff with 61 K’s.
Heading to NCAA Division II schools are Justin Arceneaux (Metro State), Charles Ball (Cal Poly Pomona) and Nicholas Bergara (San Francisco State).
Arceneaux began the 2011 season as Citrus’ #1 starter, although injuries derailed his season.
San Francisco State-bound Ball, considered Citrus’ best offensive player last season, led the lineup with a .321 batting average and scored a team high of 42 runs.
Bergara, batted .294 average and three homeruns. He also threw out 61 percent of the runners who tried to steal off of him.
Rounding out the university-bound group are Tyler Baily (San Diego Christian) and Ronnie Blagg and Scott Stephenson (both headed to Valley City State University).
Stephenson batted a .300 average and went four for four in stolen base attempts. Blagg posted a 5.73 ERA and threw six innings of relief in the playoffs for Citrus College.
Bailey hit a .182, five RBI’s and had five sacrifices.
“This group of sophomores is a great example of how the combination of educational and baseball goals can lead to four year opportunities,” said Citrus College Head Baseball Coach Steve Gomez in a press statement. “I’m proud that nine of our 11 sophomores will continue their education and baseball careers.”
