CYPRESS, CA- Charger softball (36-6) opened the SoCal Super Regionals against the Ventura Pirates (31-8-1) with a victory, 4-0.
The afternoon opened with an honorary first pitch from former softball player and 2023 Cypress College Athletics Inductee Koral King. In the first, Emily Rush and the Chargers defense shut down the Pirates offense with three consecutive ground ball outs to second.
Cypress stirred up trouble on the base paths early in the game. The home team managed to tally two in the bottom of the first frame. Off of an error from a hard hit ball with bases loaded, Rush crossed home for the game's inaugural run. As bases remained full, Cameron Curiel slapped a two-out single for an RBI knock and a 2-0 Charger lead.
The Chargers extended their lead in the second when they scored another two-out run. Jolee Rodriguez led off the inning with a walk and later stole second. With a runner in scoring position, Kaitlin Reynolds lined a double into the gap for the RBI hit.
After a scoreless third from both sides, Cypress threatened with two runners on in the fourth. Reynolds repeated her two-out approach at the plate with a second RBI double in the gap. Up 4-0, Rush was able to put it in cruise control in the circle. The Chargers finished off the shutout victory for the 1-0 series lead.
Reynolds was in the middle of all of the action as she was responsible for three of the four runs. The second baseman was 2-3 with two RBI, a run and a walk. Curiel gave the Chargers the only other RBI as she finished the game 1-3. MVP of the OEC Rush pitched the complete game shutout as she struck out two and only allowed three hits. Cypress is only one away from defeating Ventura in the Super Regionals and advancing to State Competition.
UP NEXT: Cypress will continue the Super Regionals three-game series with the Ventura Pirates on Saturday, May 13th. First game will be at 12pm. If needed, the second game will start at 2pm.
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