By Wes McCurtis

CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College softball team (6-0) made a statement with their 8-0 win in 5 innings over Santiago Canyon (5-1) at home on Wednesday. The Chargers entered Wednesday's conference opener ranked No. 3 in the state, while the defending state champion Santiago Canyon Hawks entered the match-up ranked No. 2.

Destiny Vasquez (5-0) received the win for Cypress. Vasquez allowed just 1 hit while notching 5 strikeouts in 5 innings of work. Nicole Wise (2-for-2, 3RBI) led the Chargers' offense.

Kristen Piazza (4-1) received the loss for the Hawks, allowing 7 runs and 7 hits in 1.2 innings.

In a much-anticipated match-up the Chargers came out and imposed their will early, jumping out to a 4-0 lead in the first inning. With 1 out and the bases loaded, Piazza walked D. Vasquez (0-for-2, RBI) to score the first run of the game. Wise, Emma Walker (1-for-3, RBI), and Kiani Puailoa (1-for-2, RBI) each added to the lead with RBI singles before the Hawks could manufacture a third out.

Cypress continued to light up the scoreboard in the second inning. Leading 4-0 with runners on first and third, Sydney McCollum (1-for-2) took off from first to steal to second base. In the Hawks attempt to catch McCollum stealing, Alexis Zavala (1-for-3) stole home to give Cypress a 5-0 lead. Wise followed that up with a 2RBI double, scoring Jenny Vasquez (0-for-2) and McCollum.

The Hawks had no answer on offense as they remained scoreless through 5 innings. At the bottom of the fifth, Melanie Okazaki (1-for-4) reached on an error by the Hawks right fielder as Wise advanced from third to score the winning run.

No. 2 softball will return to action on the road against El Camino on Friday, Feb. 16 at 1:30 p.m.

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