Chargers Survive Griffins Scare, Take Game 1

Cypress, CA – The #4 Cypress College Baseball team (29-13, 12-9) took the first game of the Southern Sectional Regional on Friday afternoon with a tight 6-5 victory over #5 Grossmont (31-10, 19-5). Tylor Megill (11-2, 3.46 ERA) pitched 6.2 innings for the win, surrendering 4 runs and recording 9 strikeouts. Andrew Quezada (3 SV, 2.90 ERA) came in during the ninth inning and pitched 0.2 innings for his third save of the season. The Chargers' offense overwhelmed Grossmont's starter Alan Strong (9-3, 2.74 ERA), as he lasted only 4 innings and surrendered five runs for the loss. Nick Reeser continued his torrid playoff form, hitting 2-for-4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs, while Willie Aguilar (2-for-5) had an RBI and a run.

The Chargers pounced the Griffins in the first inning thanks to some quality at-bats from the top of the lineup. With the bases loaded and one out, Nick Reeser belted a double deep to center field to clear the bases and give Cypress a 3-0 lead. After Bo Coolen (1-for-5) flied out, Nate Rodriguez hit a line drive single to bring Reeser home and extend the lead 4-0.

After Michael Diffley hit a solo homerun over center field in the third inning to give the Griffins their first run of the game, the Chargers responded in the same inning with an insurance run, courtesy of a Paul Gomez (2-for-3, 1 RBI) sacrifice fly. With the Chargers up 5-1, the Griffins responded with two runs in the fourth inning to keep the game close. With runners on second and third, Andres Rios (2-for-4, 2 RBI) hit a single to center field to bring home both runners, cutting the lead 5-3.

The Chargers added another run in the fourth inning thanks to Willie Aguilar's RBI single, but the Griffins answered back in the seventh after Tanner Perry (1-for-3, 1 run, 1 RBI) crushed a homerun over left field, keeping it a two-run game.

The Griffins almost stole the game in the ninth inning. Chargers' pitcher Henry Martinez opened up the final frame by hitting the first batter. After forcing Cabot Van til (0-for-5) to a fly out, Martinez walked the next batter, giving Grossmont a chance to tie the game. Andrew Quezada came in relief, but a wild pitch advanced a runner from second to third. Quezada gave up a groundout to Noah Strohl (2-for-4, 1 RBI), but allowed the runner from third to score, leaving a runner on second to potentially tie the game. The closer hit the following batter, but managed to escape the jam after forcing Travis Beard (0-for-3) into a fielder's choice groundout to end the game.

The Chargers will host the second game of the series tomorrow, May 21 at 1 PM. They will look to complete the sweep as they bat in the visitor's spot. Tickets will cost $8 for seniors and students and $12 for adults.