Chargers Top First Ranked Marauders in Extra Innings

Espinoza scored the winning run Saturday.

Cypress won by a run in the ninth.

March 3rd, 2007

Final Stats

Cypress, Calif. - Cypress finished off their six game week Saturday afternoon facing their biggest challenge of the week in top ranked Antelope Valley. The teams were deadlocked after seven innings and had to go to nine before Cypress was finally able to score to win the game 1-0. Sophomore center fielder Jade Espinoza scored the winning run after reaching base with a single.

Cypress got in trouble early allowing four hits in the first few innings. Sophomore pitcher Alyssa Gutierrez came into the game in the middle of the third inheriting two runners. She struck out the last out swinging getting Cypress out of the inning holding the Marauders to no runs. The Marauders were poised to score again in the fifth with a runner on second before sophomore catcher Gabrielle Woody made a heady play throwing the runner out at third preventing the stolen base and ending the inning.

Cypress could only generate three hits in the first seven innings but were luckily able to hold Antelope Valley scoreless as well forcing extra innings. The Marauders had their best chance at the top of the ninth. After giving up a bunt single, Gutierrez retired the next three outs in a row including a strikeout to close out the inning and stranding the Marauder runner at second. Cypress was finally able to move their runners in the bottom of the ninth. Espinoza led the inning off with a single. Freshman shortstop Ashley Boyd reached first on a walk moving Espinoza to second. Gutierrez followed with a sacrifice bunt to move Espinoza to third. Woody was up next and belted a pitch to center for a walk-off sacrifice fly as Espinoza tagged up and scored. Gutierrez earned the win improving to 10-3 allowing 2 hits and striking out 7 batters.

Cypress improves to 17-3 on the season and has a day off before returning to conference play Monday. Cypress will face Riverside for the second time this season on the road this time. The last time these teams met, Cypress won in extra innings 1-0. The two will face off again Monday at 3:00 pm at Riverside.