Fresno, Calif. - Pickle juice, Pedialyte, salt water, bananas. The Chargers were trying everything and anything as player after player was pulling up with cramps during a grueling two game run in the hot Fresno sun. Despite the physical toil, the Chargers showed heart coming through over and over again for a 10-0 shutout win to propel themselves to the championship round tomorrow. Freshman pitcher A.J. Smith pitched a two-hitter for a complete game shut out earning his third win this season leading Cypress to the victory while ringing up six strikeouts.
The Chargers got started early and didn not stop. Sophomore third baseman Brandon Laird started it off with a two-out solo home run blast to get the Charger offense warmed up. After an inning off, freshman shortstop Tyler Marmion and sophomore catcher Bubba Ruddy started the inning with back-to-back singles. A sacrifice bunt later and the runners were on second and third. Ornelas capitalized with an RBI single to second scoring Marmion and moving Ruddy to third. Freshman left fielder Michael Nesbitt hit into a fielder’s choice and outran the throw to first preventing the double play and allowing Ruddy to score for Cypress’s third run.
The Chargers piled a few more on in the fourth. Smith contributed from the other side of the mound with a lead-off single to right. Freshman right fielder Brian Burke doubled down the left field line for two runners in scoring position. Sophomore first baseman Marco Martelli made it three hits in a row with a single to second to score Smith. After a dropped fly ball in the outfield, Burke was able to score. Sophomore second baseman Bryan Resnick brought in the third run in the inning with a single to left as Martelli scored.
Smith kept the Rams at bay while Cypress was unable to score in the next three innings. The short dry spell ended in the eighth. Freshman right fielder Ricky Eisenberg singled to left followed by a walk from Martelli. The runners moved to second and third after a sacrifice bunt. Ruddy brought them home with a double to the rightfield gap. Ornelas traded places with Ruddy with his double to right followed by another double from Laird for Cypress’s tenth and final run.
Cypress is now one of just two teams remaining with one more day of play in the 2007 season. The Chargers must win two straight games against Orange Empire opponents Riverside to earn the Championship. Any loss will end their season as state runner-ups. The Chargers have the tough task of trying to defeat the Tigers twice after losing three of the four match-ups the two have had this season. Cypress will try to pull it off tomorrow starting at 11:00 am at Fresno City College.
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Smith pitched the complete game shutout.
