Chargers Get Ahead Just in Time in Extra Inning Thriller
DeLaFuente hit the game winning homerun Thursday afternoon. |
April 8, 2010
Final Stats
Cypress, Calif. - Cypress returned home Thursday afternoon after over a two week absence to take on district rival Fullerton. The Chargers made several come from behind efforts but could not take the lead until it really counted with a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the tenth to win 9-8. Sophomore catcher Dimitri DeLaFuente hit the homerun, his second of the day. He finished going three-for-five all for extra base hits.
Fullerton got on top first leading 4-0 after the first three. Sophomore pitcher Ray Hanson shut down the Hornets in the middle innings and the Charger offense got going in the fifth. DeLaFuente kicked it off with a lead-off solo homerun breaking the shutout. Later in the inning with a man on second, sophomore shortstop Johnathan Morales doubled to bring in the second run cutting the Hornet lead in half.
Cypress caught up in the sixth with two more. Sophomore designated hitter Corey LeVier led off with a single and scored off a double by freshman second baseman Bryan Aanderud. After hitting third, Aanderud scored off an RBI ground-out by sophomore left fielder Erik Hempe to tie it up 4-4.
The tie would not last long as Fullerton put one up in the seventh to take the 5-4 lead. Cypress came right back with a solo homerun by LeVier to tie it up 5-5. The Charger defense would not hold giving up three runs in the top of the ninth.
Cypress had its last shot in the ninth and made use of it. After leading off with two singles and a walk to load the bases, Morales walked in the first run of the inning. A two RBI single by LeVier tied it up at 8-8. With just one out and two runners on, the Chargers hit into a double play sending the game to extra innings.
The Charger defense held the Hornets scoreless as Morales ended the half inning with a dramatic line-drive double play. In Cypress’s turn, with one out down, DeLaFuente hit a long bomb over the fence for the game winning run ending the game with a Charger one-run advantage.
Sophomore closer Matt Rush (2-1) earned the win pitching the final 1.1 innings allowing no hits or runs. Hanson pitched the first 6.1 innings allowing just two earned runs and striking out five. Sophomore Travis Garrett pitched 2.1 innings in relief.
Cypress (17-10, 8-4) will head into its third and final conference game against Fullerton Saturday. The Chargers will try to pull off the season sweep of the Hornets Saturday at noon at Fullerton.
