The Cypress College softball team is ready to defend their 2017 CCCAA State Title following the release of the 2018 CCCAA Southern California Regional Bracket on Saturday. The Chargers earned the south's No. 3 seed and will host No. 14-seeded Southwestern in a best of three series set to begin Friday at 2:00 pm. Game two is slated for Saturday at 12:00 pm with an if necessary game three immediately following.
The Lady Chargers ended the regular season 33-7 overall and 19-2 in the Orange Empire Conference, earning their fourth consecutive OEC Title.
Southwestern finished their regular season with a 24-13 overall record and 11-5 record in the Pacific Coast Conference.
On paper, the Chargers enter the first round matchup with more experience. Cypress has nine sophomores on their roster, five of who made an appearance during last year's postseason run. In addition, Cypress boasts three 3CFCA All-State selections, including OEC Most Valuable Player Sydney McCollum, OEC Pitcher of the Year Hope Davalos, and All-OEC First Team selection Infinity Laufou.
The Jaguars are led by freshman outfielder Cassie Van Til, sophomore infielder Nicole Correia, and freshman pitcher Trudie Nixon. Van Til leads the team with 51 hits and a .447 AVG, while Correia led the team with 34 RBI and 7 HR's. Nixon earned 20 wins in the circle this season with a 2.38 ERA and 80 strikeouts.
The Cypress College softball program is 19-4 all-time against Southwestern, having won the last 16 matchups dating back to the 1995 season. The programs last met in 2015, when the Chargers bested the Jaguars 17-1 in five innings.
Tickets to the CCCAA postseason event are $12 for general admission and $8 for faculty, staff, students, senior citizens, and children. Weekend passes will not be available. Parking is free in Lot 5 (see campus map).
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