Hempe’s Homerun Hands Cypress Extra Inning Win
Hempe hit the game winning homerun. |
March 11, 2008
Final Stats
Fullerton, Calif. - Cypress traveled to rival Fullerton Tuesday to redeem themselves after an embarrassing 11-4 loss earlier in the season due to nine Charger errors. After holding on to the lead through most of the game, Cypress gave up five eighth inning runs forcing extra innings where Cypress put up a top of the tenth homerun for a dramatic 12-11 win. Freshman third baseman Erik Hempe made the difference with the tenth inning lead off solo homerun. He finished the game 2 for 5 with a triple in addition to his homerun for two RBI.
The Chargers slipped behind early giving up two runs in the first but caught up quickly with a big four run second inning. Sophomore right fielder Brian Burke reached on an infield error. Sophomore first baseman Jordan Lowe produced a double to right moving Burke to third. Sophomore left fielder Michael Nesbitt walked to load the bases and Burke scored the first Charger run of the day off a wild pitch. Freshman catcher Parker Berberet earned the first Cypress RBIs of the day with a double to left center scoring Lowe and Nesbitt. A single from freshman second baseman Garrett Leon put runners on the corners. Sophomore centerfielder Dennis Gerbasi hit into a fielder’s choice that attempted to throw out Berberet at the plate but he was able to score as the Hornet catcher committed an error for the fourth and final run of the inning for the 4-2 lead.
After an inning off of scoring, Berberet put up his third RBI of the day with a solo homerun for the 5-2 lead. The Hornets kept it interesting with two runs cutting the Cypress lead to one. Cypress stayed ahead with two in the fifth. Freshman designated hitter Jonathan Hurst walked and was brought home with a double to left center from Burke. Lowe finished it off with a single to score Burke. Fullerton would not let Cypress get away scoring two more in the bottom of the fifth staying within one 7-6.
The Chargers gave themselves some distance in the sixth. Leon led off with a triple and then scored on a wild pitch. Gerbasi then walked and advanced to second on an error. Hempe then tripled for his first hit of the day for an RBI to score Gerbasi for a 9-6 lead. Cypress threw in what seemed to be the knockout punch with two more runs. Nesbitt led off with a walk and Leon hit the second Charger homerun of the day for the commanding 11-6 lead.
With a five run lead safely in hand, Fullerton mounted a huge eighth inning for five runs knotting the score at 11. After no one could score in the ninth, Cypress took advantage of the tenth with Hempe’s homerun for the 12-11 lead. Freshman pitcher Thomas Hoenshell held runners at first and second in the bottom of the tenth to keep the Charger lead and hold on for the win.
Hoenshell earns his first collegiate win to improve to 1-0. Sophomore Alex Curry pitched the first 7.1 innings allowing eight earned runs on nine hits while striking out three.
Cypress improves to 17-5 and 3-1 in conference. They have a day off before heading back on the road to face Orange Coast for the first time this season. The two meet up Thursday at 2:00 pm at Orange Coast.
