Cypress Moves on to 30th State Appearance

CYPRESS, CA- Charger softball (37-6) walks-off Ventura Pirates (31-9-1) in mercy fashion on Saturday afternoon, 8-0.

On Mother's Day weekend, the softball program honored the student-athletes mother's. Each player was accompanied with their mother during name announcements on the first base line. 

Before the game began, an honorary first pitch was thrown by former Cypress Chargers softball star Nicole Moojen. Moojen was inducted into the 2023 Cypress Athletics Hall of Fame for her two All-American 2004-05 seasons. 

Cypress picked up where they left off in game one as they mirrored the first frame with two runs. Kaitlin Reynolds continued her excellent weekend-long offensive with an RBI double to start the scoring. Camryn Addimando tallied an RBI single to cap the first, 2-0. 

The Chargers relentless bats scored two more runs in the second. A sacrifice bunt and error on the play from Ventura gave Cypress their third run. Pitcher Emily Rush hit an RBI sacrifice fly to extend the lead to four. 

Though the Pirates managed to put two runners on in the third, the Chargers defense kept Ventura scoreless. The home team scored for the third consecutive inning from a fielder's choice RBI off the bat of Ashlynn Ortiz. 

In the fourth, Cypress created trouble for the Pirates as the home team tallied  two additional insurance runs. Reynolds and Addimando repeated their first inning success as they both scored in the inning. 

With the chance to mercy and finish the game in the fifth frame, Jolee Rodriguez reached base from a single. The Pirates pitched around OEC MVP Rush and walked her to put two on for the Chargers offense. 

Down to their final out, a passed ball allowed runners to advance to second and third. A wild pitch out of reach of the catcher's glove, brought in Rodriguez for the eighth and walk-off run. 

A stat line of 2-3 with one RBI and two runs scored, Reynolds capped an impressive weekend of playoff at-bats. At the cleanup spot, Addimando was also 2-3 with two RBI and a run scored. On back-to-back days, Rush pitched a complete shutout with five strikeouts. 

The Chargers move on in the 3C2A playoff bracket into state competition. Brad Pickler celebrates his 1,500th career win as Head Coach of the softball team. Pickler has sent the team to their 30th state appearance all-time. 

UP NEXT: Cypress will now travel to Mt. Sac to start a three-game series. The Chargers will compete against the winner of the Mt. Sac versus Bakersfield Super Regionals. Be sure to check CypressChargers.com for more details on schedule updates. 

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