CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College softball team (20-2, 10-1) remains in sole possession of the OEC's top spot after a dominant 12-4 (5-innings) victory over visiting Riverside City College (18-7, 8-3) on Friday afternoon.

Sophomore pitcher Hailey Hoffman (W, 4-0) earned the win for Cypress in 1.2 shutout innings of relief. Hoffman entered the game after starting pitcher, Hope Davalos (15-2), walked three consecutive batters and hit another with one out in the top of the fourth. Hoffman settled in quickly, allowing just two hits with two strikeouts.

Riverside's Synphony Hall (L, 10-4) received just her fourth loss of the season after allowing seven runs, five earned, on six hits in three innings of work.

The Chargers got things going early, taking advantage of fielding mistakes made by the Tigers, scoring three runs on one hit and three errors in the first inning. Cypress added two more runs in the second after Kiani Puailoa (2-for-2, RBI) ripped an RBI double to left field and then scored on a wild pitch from Hall.

The Tigers battled back with a four-run fourth inning. Riverside loaded the bases after three walks from Davalos before Jocelyn Ontiveros advanced home on a wild pitch. RCC loaded the bases again with one out after a Davalos pitch hit Kayla Giannatasio. The Tigers managed to drive in three more runs, making it a one-run game.

Cypress responded, as they often do, with an eight-run rally in the fifth inning. Kellee Ross (2-for-4, RBI) capped off the inning with an RBI double to center field to end the game via mercy rule.

Cypress softball will return to action in a home double-header tomorrow against non-conference opponent Citrus College. Games are scheduled for 12:00 and 2:00 p.m.

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