CYPRESS, CA - The No. 5 Cypress Chargers (10-1) defeated No. 1 Mt. San Antonio College (6-4) in a double header event at home, 8-0 and 4-0.
Cypress began the season on a hot start similar to their 2023 championship campaign. Though the team won their first four straight and outscored their opponents 41-3, the 3CFCA State rankings listed Cypress No. 5 on February 7th. Undefeated for the first two weeks of play, the Chargers suffered their first loss in an upset on the road at El Camino College.
The defending champions answered back quickly and aggressively as they hosted Mt. Sac for a Saturday double-header. In their last matchup, Cypress ended the Mounties season in the 2023 postseason bracket. After a 3C2A postseason appearance and 5-1 start, Mt. Sac was listed as No. 1. The Chargers flipped the script immediately with a shutout mercy victory in their first meeting, 8-0.
Game 1
The Chargers exploded in the second inning with five runs to jump out ahead. Jazzy Lopez singled in the first run with an RBI hit to the right side. Jaylene Duarte came up clutch with a runner in scoring position and tripled to right center for 2-RBI's. Julia Doan and Kaitlyn Reynolds capped the scoring at five with an RBI knock each. In the third, Duarte stepped into the box to create more damage on the scoreboard.
With Kimberley MacPherson on base, the shortstop smashed the ball for a 2-run homerun, 7-0. Ashlynn Ortiz walked up to the plate for an opportunity to walk-off mercy the Mounties in the sixth. A single to right center allowed Mikala Jacobsen to cross home which finished the game in a mercy fashion against Mt. San Antonio, 8-0.
Reynolds pitched an incredible game as she pitched all 6.0 innings, only allowed one hit and struck out two batters. Duarte showed up at the plate as she went 4-4 with four RBI's and scored twice. Doan also contributed greatly to the offense with a 2-4 day, an RBI and scored once. Both teams took a short break then prepared for the second game of the day.
Game 2
In a dominant performance, Cypress softball secured a 4-0 victory over Mt. San Antonio in game two.
The game remained scoreless until the third inning when Cypress broke the deadlock. Makayla Motis's RBI single to right center brought in Duarte for the first run of the game. Coupled with aggressive baserunning, the Chargers found themselves another runner crossing home plate to extend the lead 2-0.
The Chargers added to their lead in the fifth inning when Jacobsen singled through the left side, bringing the score to 3-0. In the sixth inning, Alexis Montez's sacrifice fly drove in Dempsey Wood for the fourth and final run of the game.
Mt. San Antonio struggled to generate offense against Cypress's pitching. Kaitlyn Reynolds delivered a stellar performance, pitching a complete game shutout and allowing only two hits.
UP NEXT: Cypress will host Long Beach City College for their second meeting of the season. First pitch is scheduled for 2:00pm.
Stay connected with the Chargers through social media. Follow Cypress College Athletics on Twitter @CypressChargers. Check in with the Chargers on Facebook/CypressChargers and on Instagram @CypressChargers.
