Cypress, CA – The No. 1 Cypress College softball team (30-4, 18-0 OEC) remain undefeated in conference play after defeating Golden West College (7-19, 5-10 OEC) via mercy rule 9-1.
Vanessa Ledesma gave up only one run in five innings for her team-leading 14th win of the season. Taylor Pierce went 2-for-3 with three RBI while Alexis Carmona went 2-for-3 with two RBI and two runs.
The Chargers took the early lead in the first inning with runners on first and third, when Pierce launched a sacrifice fly to score Justice Walker from third. Unfortunately, the team left Tobi Salzman stranded on second after Jezz Portillo popped out to second and Melanie Okazaki grounded out to end the inning.
Golden West managed to tie to the game in the third inning with two outs and runners on first and third, when Taylor Clinkaberry lined a double to deep left to bring in one run. However, the team's rally ended abruptly after Alanna Torres grounded out to end the inning.
Cypress came alive in the fourth thanks to a four-run rally sparked by Alexis Carmona. With runners on second and third with two outs, Carmona belted a double to left field to bring in two runs. Walker continued the rally with another double to bring Carmona home, and Salzman knocked a single to center field to extend the Chargers' lead 5-1.
The Chargers finished the job in the fifth inning when Ally Painter launched a double to left field to bring home Melanie Okazaki and pinch-hitter Amanda Toledo continued the rally with an RBI double. Four batters later, Pierce closed out the game with a game-winning double to center field to bring home two runners.
Cypress College will face No. 2 Palomar College in a double-header tomorrow at home, which was postponed last week due to rain delay. First pitch is scheduled for 12:00 pm with game two set to begin at 2:00 pm.
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