CYPRESS, CA – The Cypress College softball team (38-7, 20-1) is headed to their 28th CCCAA State Championship Tournament in program history, making their 5th consecutive appearance, following a sweep of Riverside City College in the Super Regional round on Friday and Saturday. The Chargers won both games via mercy rule, including a 9-0 shutout victory on Friday, followed by a 9-1 victory on Saturday.
"I think our team came together a lot this weekend," said sophomore Infinity Laufou. "Especially after losing that first game in the series last weekend. We're all excited to carry over this feeling and we want to bring that ring home," she added.
In Saturday's game two, the Chargers were able to pick up where they left off in game one, taking a 7-0 lead in the first. Sophomore infielder Amanda Campos (2-for-3, 2RBI) highlighted the inning with two RBI triples to give Cypress a commanding lead.
Vanessa Ayala (2-for-2, 2RBI) and Kimberly MacPherson (2-for-2, 2RBI) helped power the Chargers' offense.
Again, it was freshman Eliza Sandoval (W, 18-1) going the distance in the circle for Cypress. Sandoval gave up just one run on 2 hits with 2 strikeouts in 5.0 innings to close out the series.
"I'm just excited because this group came out flat to start the playoffs last Friday, but I think that was the best thing that's happened to us," said head coach Brad Pickler. "We got a shot at winning it all," he added.
The Cypress College softball program is looking to add to its state-leading nine CCCAA State Championships, all coming under the leadership of Coach Pickler. "We aren't a program that goes to the State Championship Tournament looking to participate. We go up there to win."
The eight-team double-elimination tournament will be held at Bakersfield College and Cal State Bakersfield in Bakersfield, CA from Friday, May 17 through Monday, May 20.
The Chargers enter the tournament as the No. 2 seed in the south and will open on Friday against the north's No. 3 seed San Joaquin Delta. All games will be broadcast live via SoCal College Sports. More information regarding the weekend's events can be found on the CCCAA's Tournament Central.
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