BAKERSFIELD, CA – The Cypress College softball team saw their season come to an end at the CCCAA State Championships on Saturday. The Chargers opened the eight-team double-elimination tournament with a 5-2 loss on Friday to San Joaquin Delta, followed by a disappointing 6-3 loss to OEC rival Fullerton on Saturday. Cypress finished the season as Orange Empire Conference Champions, compiling a 38-9 overall record.
The Chargers jumped out to an early lead with an RBI single from Lesley Bojorquez (1-for-3, RBI) in the tournament opener against San Joaquin Delta. Both teams would trade runs in the fifth inning, giving Cypress a 2-1 lead heading into the top of the sixth.
The Mustangs hung four runs on the Chargers with back-to-back 2 RBI singles in the top of the sixth, taking a 5-2 lead. Delta's winning pitcher, Delaney Pamplin, held the Chargers scoreless in the final two innings, sending Cypress down to the elimination bracket.
Facing elimination on Saturday against the Hornets, the teams traded runs in the first inning, before Fullerton took a 3-1 lead on a 2 RBI double in the top of the second.
Cypress manufactured a run in the fourth on a SAC fly from Vanessa Ayala (0-for-2, RBI). Fullerton answered with three more runs in the fifth to extend their lead, 6-2. Bojorquez would add a run for the Chargers on a solo HR in the sixth, but it would not be enough as Fullerton went on to win, 6-3.
The Cypress College softball program made its 28th appearance in the CCCAA State Tournament and won its 24th Orange Empire Conference title, fifth in a row, this season.
The CCCAA State Championship Tournament continues through Monday, May 20. To follow the action visit CCCAASports.org.
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