Defensive Showdown Leaves Cypress Behind a Run Again
Leon went 3 for 4 Tuesday afternoon. |
March 25, 2008
Final Stats
Cypress, Calif. - Cypress returned to conference play Tuesday hoping to end a three game losing streak against rival Santa Ana. Cypress put up a fight against the first place Dons but came up just one run short again losing 3-2. Freshman second baseman Garrett Leon paced Cypress going three for four on the day.
The Chargers were in trouble in the second allowing a runner on third after an error. Cypress executed defensively with a fielder’s choice putting the runner in a pickle and tagging him out at the plate preventing the Santa Ana run and keeping the game scoreless. Cypress could not prevent the Santa Ana run in the third after a double and a single going down 1-0.
Cypress punched right back with a solo homerun from sophomore centerfielder Dennis Gerbasi, his first this season. With the score tied at one, Cypress put together a double play to keep Santa Ana at one in the fourth. The Dons would not be stopped in the fifth scoring two runs. Sophomore pitcher Dale Harder prevented more damage retiring one batter before intentionally loading the bases and retiring the third out holding Santa Ana to the 3-1 lead.
Cypress attempts to score were thwarted through the fifth and sixth innings. The Chargers pushed for one in the seventh. Sophomore third baseman Jordan Lowe led off with a single to center and reached second off a single from Leon. Freshman catcher Parker Berberet laid down a bunt single moving both into scoring position. After another out, sophomore shortstop Tyler Marmion drove a single to left scoring Berberet. Leon rounded third and ran for home as the tying run but was thrown out at home ending the inning and the comeback.
Freshman Richard Hanson suffered the loss falling to 0-1 giving up three earned runs on four hits and three walks while striking out two in 4.1 innings. Harder pitched the next four innings allowing no runs on three hits and three walks while striking out two. Freshman Thomas Hoenshell pitched the final 0.2 innings striking out both batters he faced stranding three runners on.
Cypress falls to 18-10 and 3-3 in conference. The Chargers have a day off before facing last place Golden West Thursday. The last time they met, Cypress won 17-9 during the OEC mini-tournament. The two face off again Thursday at Golden West at 2:30 pm.
