Santa Ana Spoils the Chargers' Win Streak
Laird went 4 for 5 against the Dons. |
March 9, 2006
Final Stats
Cypress, Calif. - Cypress came into the game against Santa Ana with a six game win streak, an undefeated conference record, and an undefeated home record this season before the Dons came to Cypress and spoiled the Charger streak. The Chargers looked like they were in control up 5-1 heading into the fifth when Santa Ana bats caught fire scoring 5 runs in the fifth and never relinquishing the lead. Cypress looked like they were in for a comeback but could not quite make it losing to the Dons 11-8. Freshman first baseman Brandon Laird padded his batting average going 4 for 5 against Santa Ana pitchers including a homerun and 4 RBIs. Laird leads the Chargers in hitting averaging .463.
Starting pitcher Josh Tamba retired the first three Dons batters of the game. Sophomore centerfielder Garrett Young stole home in the first to take the lead 1-0. Santa Ana matched in the second with a run of their own before sophomore Blaine Wilson belted a solo homerun, his third of the season. The Chargers kept scoring in the third as second baseman Garrett Green singled to score sophomore Joel Weeks. The second run in the inning came as Laird singled to score Young.
Cypress held a commanding 5-1 lead before disaster struck in the fifth as Tamba gave up 5 runs on 4 hits including 3 homeruns as the Dons took the lead from Cypress 6-5. Santa Ana’s scoring continued in the sixth with two more runs and then another run in the seventh to stretch the lead to 9-5. Cypress started a comeback effort with three runs in the seventh as Laird belted a 2 run homer to score himself and Young. Wilson batted in sophomore shortstop Taylor Green to end the inning narrowing the Dons lead to 1. Cypress’s comeback came up short as they failed to score in the next two innings and gave up 2 more runs to the Dons. Tamba pitched 4.1 innings giving up 6 earned runs while striking out 4. Sophomore pitcher Wes Etheridge came in to relieve pitching 4.2 innings giving up 3 earned runs, and striking out 6.
Cypress has a day to recuperate before facing Riverside in another conference match-up at home on Saturday. Riverside is 15-5 and 1-2 in conference. The teams will face off on Saturday at noon at Cypress barring rain conditions.
