Cypress Wins Shootout in Series Opener with Saddleback

CYPRESS, CA- Charger baseball (23-8, 9-4 OEC) defeated the Saddleback Bobcats (22-9, 8-5 OEC) on Friday afternoon, 10-7.

The Chargers and the Bobcats began a three-game series that started and will end at Cypress College. Saddleback jumped ahead quickly with their aggressive attack approach. With two outs, a double and a single gave the Bobcats the first lead of the day. 

Cypress concocted an immediate comeback when the home team filled the bases. With runners on each base, Edgar Rosales hit a perfectly placed dribbler that snuck past a diving first baseman. The ball stayed in the infield, but it allowed the Chargers' runners to go station to station to tie the game. As the bags remained full, a pitch that hit Cade Liefer gave the Chargers a one run lead. 

Saddleback responded in the third frame when they profited off of a Cypress error. A two-run home run from Michael Davinni regained the lead for the Bobcats, 2-3. The Chargers did not wait long to get back on top. In the bottom of the inning, the home team bats caused trouble on the base paths. On a fielder's choice, a wild throw gave way for the Cypress runner to score on the play. A batter later, Tanner Gerosa hit in two RBIs from a standup double to get his team back ahead, 5-3. 

In the fourth, five consecutive hits from the Bobcats offense led to four runs in the frame for the 5-7 Saddleback advantage. As the home team trailed by two, Albert De La Rosa cut the deficit in half. The shortstop led off the bottom half with a single, then stole both second and third to eventually cross home from an error throw. 

After a quiet fifth inning, Cypress tied it up in the sixth frame. Dean Toigo placed a bunt down for a sacrifice but was misplayed by the pitcher. A wild throw past the first baseman allowed the runners to advance and knot the score at seven apiece. A bases-loaded Aaron Perez fielder's choice broke the tie as the home team went up yet again. With runners at each bag, a Gerosa walk and wild pitch tallied insurance runs for the Chargers. 

Cypress held onto the lead and took the first of three games, 10-7. De La Rosa crossed home three times as he went 3-5. Gerosa came up clutch throughout the game with his 2-3 day at the plate, three RBIs and a walk. On the mound, Evan Adolphus allowed seven runs in 4.2 frames with two strikeouts. Josh Landry was awarded the win in his 4.1 innings pitched and three strikeouts. The Chargers collected their third win in a row and ninth conference victory. 

UP NEXT: The Chargers will visit the Saddleback Bobcats for the middle game on Thursday, April 13th. First pitch 2pm. 

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