CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College Softball Team (32-5, 19-0 OEC) finished their final home game of the regular season with a mercy rule 14-6 win over Saddleback College (16-17, 9-9 OEC).
Vanessa Ledesma (15-2) earned the win, giving up three runs in four innings of work. Melanie Okazaki went 3-for-3 with two runs and three RBI while Tobi Salzman also went 3-for-3 with three RBI and a run. The star of the day was Jenny Vazquez who went a perfect 4-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, and a walkoff homerun, her second of the season.
The Chargers took the early lead in the first inning when Salzman knocked an RBI double to bring Okazaki home. They struck again in the following inning with runners on first and third, when Alexis Carmona knocked a sacrifice fly to bring Vazquez home. After Justice Walker advanced Amanda Toledo from second to third off a groundout, Okazaki lined a single to centerfield that scored Toledo. Following a single from Salzman, Jezz Portillo hit a single to centerfield to bring in another run to extend the lead 4-0.
Saddleback didn't help their cause in the bottom of the third inning as their relief pitcher Nicole Gliko gave up two hits and a walk to load the bases. She then surrendered two more walks to give Cypress a 6-0 lead. Alyssa Fawcett returned to the mound, but couldn't get out of the jam as she walked Okazaki to extend the Chargers lead. Salzman followed by slapping a single to centerfield to bring in two more runs for the 9-0 lead. The nightmare continued for the Gauchos as Portillo singled to load the bases. The Gauchos attempted to turn a double-play after an Ally Painter ground ball to short. Saddleback got Portillo out at second base but a throwing error to first on the double play attempt brought in two more runs to extend the Chargers' lead. Following a groundout by Emma Walker, Jenny Vazquez lined a single to left field to bring Painter home and take a 12-0 lead.
The Gauchos finally got on the board with a three-run rally in the fourth inning. With one out and runners on second and third, Maddie Newby lined a double to bring home two runs. After Emily Malfavon advanced Newby to third base on a groundout, Amanda Padilla grounded a single to short, bringing Newby home to cut the lead 12-3.
Saddleback struck again in the fifth inning with another three-run rally. With two outs and runners on second and third, Sam Molina knocked a two-run single and advanced to third on a throwing error. Maddie Newby followed with a routine grounder that was misplayed for an error, to make it a 12-6 game.
Jenny Vazquez blasted a two-run walk-off homer over the left field wall in the bottom of the fifth to end the game.
The Chargers will hit the road this Friday to play Fullerton at 2:00 PM and then will travel to El Camino the following day to play at 2:30 PM. The Chargers lost their home opener to El Camino this season and will seek to avenge their loss.
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