CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College softball team remains one of only two unbeaten teams in the CCCAA with an overall record of 12-0, including a 4-0 in Orange Empire Conference play, extending their remarkable winning streak to 60 games after a hard fought victory over Riverside City College on Wednesday, 3-1. The Chargers entered the game as the top-ranked team in the state, while the Tigers held a No. 9 state ranking.
Sophomore Hope Davalos (W, 11-0) went the distance in the circle on Wednesday, allowing just one run on five hits, while striking out four batters. Riverside's Synphony Hall (L, 6-2) received just her second loss of the season, allowing three unearned runs on six hits.
Sophomore catcher Kellee Ross (1-for-2, 2RBI) came up big at the plate for the Chargers, bringing in what proved to be the game winning runs.
It was a pitching duel on Wednesday, but the Tigers managed to capitalize on a Cypress throwing error in the first inning to take a 1-0 lead, which they held on to until the top of the fifth.
With their streak and top spot in the OEC standings on the line, the Chargers clutched up and made the plays needed to win the game. Kiani Puailoa (1-for-2) began the fifth inning with a single to left. Infinity Laufou (0-for-3) grounded out to third for the second out of the inning, but advanced Puailoa to second base, before Gabby Munoz (1-for-3) reached on a walk. Tianna Harris (1-for-4) drilled a hard hit single to right field and advanced to second on a Riverside throwing error, which also allowed Puailoa to score, tying the game at 1-1. With runners on second and third, Ross slapped a 2RBI single up the middle to give Cypress a 3-1 lead. Davolos proceeded to mow through the Tigers' lineup, striking out the final two batters with a runner in scoring position in the seventh, to seal the victory.
Cypress softball will return to conference action on Thursday when they travel to take Golden West College at 2:00 p.m.
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