Cypress Overpowered at Santa Ana
Smith had 3 RBI Saturday afternoon. |
April 26, 2008
Final Stats
Santa Ana, Calif. - The Chargers traveled to Santa Ana for their first of two games against the rival Dons hoping to gain some much needed ground in the OEC race. Cypress put together more hits than Santa Ana but the Dons hits were more potent as Cypress lost 11-7. Sophomore first baseman AJ Smith led the Chargers with three RBI going three for four including a double with two runs scored.
Cypress started with their only lead of the game scoring a run in the first. Freshman third baseman Jonathan Hurst hit a double down the left field line and sophomore left fielder Michael Nesbitt brought him home with his own double to right center for the 1-0 lead.
The Charger lead quickly vanished as Santa Ana put together two homeruns in the second for three runs. Cypress chipped in another in the third. Sophomore center fielder Dennis Gerbasi led off with a walk and stole second. He moved to second on a ground out and then home on an RBI ground out by sophomore shortstop Tyler Marmion cutting the Santa Ana lead to one.
Santa Ana added two more in the bottom of the third off an error and a couple of singles to stretch their lead to three. Cypress would not fade punching in two in the fourth. Sophomore right fielder Brian Burke singled to center and moved to third off a double to left center by freshman designated hitter Justin McGuire. Smith drove in both to score with a single to right center to close within one, 5-4, of the Dons.
The Dons pulled out another run in the fifth off three hits to go ahead by two. Cypress had their break in the top of the sixth showing life. Freshman catcher Parker Berberet led off with a single to center and Smith brought him in with a double to pull within one. Smith moved to third on a ground out and Gerbasi hit into a fielder’s choice RBI while Smith beat out the throw to tie the game at six giving Cypress new life.
Santa Ana dashed Cypress’s hopes by piling on the runs in the bottom of the sixth. Four straight walks gave the Dons the one run lead. It just got worse when Santa Ana followed it up with a grand slam as Santa Ana Pulled away with the five run lead, the largest lead of the game.
Cypress was unable to catch the Dons from there as they scored just on more run in the top of the eighth. Smith reached on an error and freshman second baseman Brad Woodend singled moving Smith to second and then reached home on an error. Sophomore Alex Curry suffered the loss falling to 3-4 after giving up three earned runs in 0.1 innings pitched.
Cypress falls to 24-16 and 9-9 in conference, two games behind Orange Coast and in fourth place. The Chargers will try to prevent the season sweep by Santa Ana Tuesday as they host the Dons in their third matchup. Cypress will host the Dons Tuesday at 2:30.
