Defense Makes the Difference in Another One Run Loss
Semler pitched three hitless innings Tuesday afternoon. |
April 1, 2008
Final Stats
Cypress, Calif. - The Chargers were hoping to break a five game losing streak Tuesday in a rematch against Irvine Valley. Instead, Cypress fell in their sixth straight match-up, five of which were decided by one run, losing to the Lasers 3-2. Cypress outhit Irvine Valley 5-4 but were unable to put them together to get over the hump. Sophomore pitcher Jarrett Semler was part of Cypress’s valiant defensive effort pitching three hitless innings allowing just one walk and striking out two.
Cypress started with the lead after a Laser error. Sophomore designated hitter Jordan Lowe led off the second reaching on an error. Lowe moved to second on a ground out and third on an infield single by freshman left fielder Jonathan Hurst. Sophomore first baseman AJ Smith finished it off with a single to left scoring Lowe for the 1-0 lead.
IVC wasted no time taking the lead in the bottom of the third. After a hit batter, a sac bunt, and a single the Lasers had two on. The IVC batter then hit into what should have been an inning ending double play but the ball was thrown away allowing two runs to score. The Lasers threatened again in the fourth loading the bases in the fourth before sophomore pitcher Dale Harder rang up strike three ending the inning.
Cypress gave up another in the fifth falling behind 3-1. As both defenses held each other scoreless after the fifth, it all came down to the bottom of the ninth. With one out down, sophomore pinch hitter Luis Diaz was hit by a pitch and was replaced by pinch runner, sophomore Brandon Rohr. Freshman pinch hitter Justin McGuire came through next with a single down the right field line. Freshman left fielder Jonathan Hurst drove in the first Charger run since the second with a single up the middle as Rohr scored. With the tying run at second and the winning run at first with just one out, Cypress hit into a double play abruptly ending their hopes for a comeback.
Freshman Richard Hanson got the start and the loss pitching the first 3.1 innings allowing one earned run on one hit and three walks while striking out two. Harder pitched the next 1.2 allowing one earned run on three hits and three walks while striking out four. Freshman Thomas Hoenshell closed in the ninth allowing no hits and no walks and striking out two.
Cypress falls to 18-12 and 3-5 in conference. The Chargers have a day’s rest before facing the Lasers one more time at Irvine Valley. The two meet up again Thursday at 2:30 pm at Irvine Valley.
