CYPRESS, CA- Charger softball (20-3, 9-1 OEC) shutout the Long Beach Vikings (15-7, 8-2 WSC) in win on Saturday afternoon.

The Cypress bats got busy quickly in the first inning as they put up two runs on the scoreboard. With runners on first and second, Kaitlyn Reynolds hit a line drive just over the leaping glove of the third baseman. The standup double allowed Jaylene Duarte and Emily Rush to touch home for the early 2-0 lead. After great defense from the Cypress infield, the score stood still for the next two frames. 

In the fourth, the Chargers tapped the scoreboard for three additional runs. Ashlynn Ortiz came in to pinch hit with runners in scoring position and only one out. She roped a single to the right center gap for two RBIs and tacked on two insurance runs. In a similar situation, Duarte knocked in an RBI with a hard comebacker fielder's choice to extend the score, 5-0. 

After the team suffered their first conference loss, Cypress responded with a win against Long Beach to bounce back into the win column. Leadoff hitter Rush had an impressive day at the plate as she went 3-3 with a double, walk and a run scored.  Reynolds tallied the games first runs with her two RBI double and 1-3 day. As a pinch hitter, Ortiz came in clutch as she went 1-2 with a two RBI hit. On the bump, Reynolds pitched a complete game shutout as she allowed two hits, one walk and struck out two. With the win, Cypress stays alone and three games up in first place in the OEC standings. 

UP NEXT: Cypress's will host their next games in a doubleheader against the Canyons Cougars on Monday, March 27th. First game will begin at 1pm followed by game two at 3pm.  

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