By Robert Nilsen 

CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College baseball team (18-8, 5-5 OEC) came from behind and walked-off to a thrilling 6-5 victory over Golden West College (13-12, 5-5) on Tuesday afternoon (10-innings). The Chargers entered the game ranked No. 5 in Southern California, while the Rustlers entered the day ranked No. 12. 

Andrew Quezada (6-1) got the start for the Chargers, but received a no decision after allowing 5 runs on 10 hits and striking out 5 over 6 innings pitched. Jake Mahood (3-0) picked up his third victory of the season as he shut down the Rustlers over the last 4 innings by allowing just 2 hits and no runs. Willie Aguilar (3-for-5, 2 RBI) and Pierson Loska (3-for-5) led the Chargers offense. 

Taylor Franzman got the start for the Rustlers and worked 7 innings while allowing 4 runs on 9 hits. Andrew Pactwa (0-2) received the loss for the Rustlers after allowing the walk-off home run.

The Rustlers jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second on an RBI double by Nick Tingrides. The Chargers responded in the bottom of the third as they scored 2 runs to take a 2-1 lead. Cory Wildhagen (1-for-3, RBI) led off the inning with a single and Aguilar followed by blasting a 2-run home run to left center field to put the Chargers up 2-1.

Golden West hit back with 3 runs in the top of the fifth to take a 4-2 lead. The Rustlers would add one more run in the top of the sixth on a double steal of home and second base to take a 5-2 lead. The Chargers began their comeback in the bottom of the seventh as Matt Schmidt (1-for-3) led off the inning by hitting a booming double off the wall in left field. Following a groundout, Wildhagen delivered a sacrifice fly to cut the Rustlers lead to 5-3. Aguilar then singled and Loska followed by smashing a double down the right field line to put the Chargers within 1 run at 5-4. The Chargers tied the game in the bottom of the ninth with 2 outs as Loska lined a single into center field to make it 5-5. The Chargers continued to ride the momentum as Mahood shut down the Rustlers in the top of tenth and gave the offense an opportunity to win the game in the bottom of the inning. Paul Gomez (2-5, RBI) came to the plate to lead off the bottom of the inning and smashed a walk off home run to center field to give the Chargers a 6-5 victory.

Cypress baseball returns to action at Golden West College on Thursday, March 30 at 2:00 PM.

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