Cypress’s Late Run Not Enough to Get Past Long Beach

Ornelas went three for four Sunday.

Cypress is now forced into elimination game.

May 28, 2006

Final Stats

Fresno, Calif. - The last time the Chargers and Vikings met, the Vikings were able to pull out a run early before a defensive battle which left Long Beach City the victor 1-0. This time there would be runs aplenty but it would still leave Cypress behind as the Chargers lost 7-12. The loss moves Cypress into the elimination round, any more losses and Cypress’s season will be over. Freshman designated hitter Ben Ornelas did his part to pace the Chargers going three for four including a double for two RBI and one run scored.

Long Beach struck first with a run in the second off of four hits. They added on in the third with a three run inning after giving up four hits including a two run homer. The Chargers would get on the board in the fourth with a run as sophomore shortstop Taylor Green led off the inning with a solo homerun, his eighth. The Vikings would answer back with a run in the bottom of the inning to hold their four run lead at 5-1.

The Vikings piled it on in the fifth off of four hits and an error including a homerun for four runs giving Long Beach a commanding 9-1. Long Beach added on again in the seventh with two more runs taking the 11-1 lead. It looked hopeless for Cypress in the eighth with just two innings left to make up for ten runs. Cypress looked like they could produce a miracle with a string of hits in the eighth. Sophomore outfielder Garrett Young led off with a walk and advanced to second off of a Joel Weeks single. Green singled next to load the bases. Sophomore outfielder Mike Vass walked a run in for Cypress’s second run of the day. With the bases still loaded, freshman third baseman Brandon Laird singled to right moving everyone over and allowing Weeks to score. Ornelas drove a single deep into the leftfield gap for two RBI as Vass and Green scored cutting the lead to seven. Sophomore outfielder Mike Evola reached on a walk to load the bases again. The Vikings changed their pitcher but it would be moot as Young reached first on an error Ornelas and Laird to score. The Chargers ended the inning with six runs to bring the score to 12-7.

The Viking bats would not stay quiet generating another run in the bottom of the eighth for their twelfth and final run. Cypress had one more chance in the ninth to catch the Vikings and pull off a miracle. Vass got a single but the rest of the Charger batters could not add on ending the game 12-7 in favor of Long Beach. Sophomore left hander David Stokes absorbed the loss bringing his record to 6-6.

Cypress moves on to the elimination round game this evening in a rematch against Sacramento City. Cypress defeated the Panthers yesterday 9-2. Sacramento had to defeat Sierra earlier this morning 11-8 to move on to this game. The teams face off again at 6:00 pm. The winner moves onto the championship bracket while the loser’s season ends.

State Championship Bracket