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Cypress Softball Takes 1-0 Lead in SoCal Regional Series

Cypress Softball Takes 1-0 Lead in SoCal Regional Series

CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College Softball team (36-5, 21-0) rallied back from a two-run deficit to take the opening game of the SoCal Regionals on Saturday afternoon, winning 4-2 over Long Beach City (23-19, 12-9).

Vanessa Ledesma (19-2, 1.99 ERA) pitched a complete game and surrendered two runs for her first postseason victory, while Brooke Loard (13-14, 3.24 ERA) pitched six innings and surrendered four runs for the loss.

The Chargers were stagnated on offense for a majority of the game as Brooke Loard managed to silence them by inducing easy pop flies. Ledesma, with the backing of her defense, was sharp as usual, forcing the Vikings into playable grounders to get through innings.

However, the Vikings finally got on board in the sixth inning with one out and a runner on second when Brianna Alvarez (1-for-3) crushed an RBI triple over Nicole Wise's head to put the visitors on the board. Following a groundout by Yulissa Dominguez (0-for-2), Doreen Corella (1-for-3) lined a single to left field to double Long Beach's lead 2-0.

At the bottom of the sixth, the Chargers' finally woke up on offense. With one out and runners on first and third, Jezz Portillo's (0-for-3) grounder to short was misplayed for an error, bringing home one run. After Jenny Vasquez (0-for-2) was hit by a pitch, Allyson Painter (1-for-3) launched a hard-hit RBI single to left field to tie the game. Nicole Wise (1-for-2) followed with a sacrifice fly to center field to draw in another run to give the Chargers their first lead. Amanda Toledo (1-for-2) hit a single to load the bases and Alexis Carmona (0-for-2) was hit by a pitch to give Cypress the 4-2 lead.

Ledesma didn't allow the Vikings to get on base in the final frame, pitching an easy 1-2-3 inning that sealed the game.

The Chargers will take on Long Beach City in game two of the best-of-three series tomorrow at 12:00 pm. If necessary, game three is scheduled for 2:00 pm.

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