Winds Blow Cypress’s Way in Win over Riverside
Morales made two game changing plays Tuesday afternoon. |
April 28, 2009
Final Stats
Cypress, Calif. - The first round of the Orange Empire Conference Mini-Tournament began Tuesday afternoon with third place Cypress taking on sixth place Riverside. The Chargers utilized the outgoing winds for two homeruns and a 6-3 win over the Tigers. Freshman shortstop Johnathan Morales made a couple game changing plays to bolster Cypress on the defensive end.
The Tigers started the game with a first inning run but was quickly matched by a homerun by sophomore right fielder Christian Ramirez for a one run tie after the first.
Riverside added another run in the fourth. Freshman pitcher Gabriel Garcia prevented more damage by striking out the final two outs leaving the bases loaded. Cypress got the run right back again in the bottom of the inning with another lead-off solo homerun, this time by sophomore catcher Parker Berberet tying it up at 2-2.
Cypress finally got ahead in the bottom of the seventh with some team hitting. Sophomore centerfielder Ricky Eisenberg led off with a single followed by a double by freshman third baseman Stephan Kungl. Ramirez drove in a Eisenberg from third with a sacrifice fly for the Charger lead. Sophomore left fielder Jonathan Hurst came through with a clutch two-out single to left scoring Kungl. Sophomore Tyler Brady came in to run for Hurst and reached second after drawing a balk. Sophomore first baseman Stephen Kaupang took advantage of having a runner in scoring position scalding a single up the middle to score Brady for the 5-2 lead.
Morales played the defensive hero in the seventh and eighth making tough plays preventing at least two Tiger runs and ending both half-innings.
Morales did his part on the offensive end in the bottom of the eighth. Freshman designated hitter David Silvas walked, hit second on a ground out, and then third on a wild pitch. Morales hit a two-out double down the left field line to score Morales for the insurance run and the three run Charger lead, 6-3.
Freshman Travis Garrett earned the win for Cypress pitching 1.1 innings and allowing one earned run to improve to 4-3 on the season. Garcia pitched the first six innings allowing two earned runs and striking out nine. Freshman Matt Rush earned his fourth save of the season with a perfect 1.2 innings.
Cypress improves to 27-14 and 15-7 in conference in third place. The Chargers are one game behind Santa Ana and Orange Coast who are tied for first. Cypress will try to stay in the mix Thursday as they travel to Fullerton to take on the seventh place Hornets of Fullerton. The Chargers have defeated Fullerton three times this season. They face off again Thursday at 2:00 pm at Fullerton.
