Cypress Climbs to an Orange Empire Conference Co-Championship
Silvas drove in the go-ahead run Friday afternoon. |
May 1, 2009
Final Stats
Cypress, Calif. - A week ago, Cypress was two games behind first place and needed several components to come into place to even have a shot at the conference championship. Today, all the parts came together as Orange Coast lost their second game in the OEC Mini-Tournament and Cypress defeated Santa Ana 6-3 to earn a three-way OEC Co-Championship. Freshman designated hitter David Silvas keyed the win with two RBI to take the lead and a run scored.
Cypress was having trouble figuring out the Dons pitcher early while Santa Ana drove in a couple runs taking the 2-0 lead. The Chargers could not get a hit until the third and was able to get on the board in the fourth with a two-out rally. Silvas was hit by a pitch and then sophomore second baseman Garrett Leon hit a bomb over the left field fence to tie it up at two runs each.
The Chargers loaded the bases in the fifth but came up empty stranding all three. Cypress came through in the seventh to take their first lead of the game. Sophomore first baseman Stephen Kaupang was hit by a pitch followed by a bloop double by sophomore catcher Parker Berberet. Silvas produced a clutch hit with a single to left for two runs scored and the 4-2 lead.
Santa Ana crept closer with a run in the eighth but Cypress scored two insurance runs in the bottom of the eighth to keep their distance. Freshman third baseman Stephan Kungl walked followed by a single by sophomore right fielder Christian Ramirez. Sophomore left fielder Jonathan Hurst hit an RBI single followed by an RBI fielder’s choice by Kaupang for the sixth and final Charger run.
Freshman Ray Hanson earned the win with seven innings of efficient work to improve to 9-1. Freshman Matt Rush earned the save pitching the final two innings allowing just one hit and striking out two. This was his fifth save of the year.
Cypress finishes the regular season 29-14 and 17-7 in conference with the co-championship. They will await playoff seeding to determine their opponent and venue. Playoffs begin Friday.
