Gutierrez Throws another No-Hitter to Defeat Santa Ana

Gutierrez threw her second no-hitter Wednesday.

Cypress moves three games ahead in first.

March 14th, 2007

Final Stats

Santa Ana, Calif. - Last year, Cypress was poised for their first undefeated conference season when they traveled to Santa Ana for their last game of conference. Cypress came up short losing to the Dons 0-1 to ruin their history making hopes. This time around, the Chargers had their revenge thanks to a no-hitter and some productive base running to win 1-0 at Santa Ana. Sophomore Alyssa Gutierrez threw her second no-hitter of the season just one hit batter and two errors away from a perfect game.

Neither team could get any offense going through the first few innings as the pitchers battled. Cypress got their run on the board in the fourth. Sophomore designated player Brooke Pefley started it off by being hit by a pitch to reach first. Freshman pinch runner Caitlin McGrath came in to run for Pefley and produced immediately stealing second and then third. Freshman first baseman Nicole Palmer grounded out but McGrath was able to speed around for the run. Cypress had another good shot to put runs on the board in the sixth. Sophomore catcher Gabrielle Woody singled followed by a walk by Pefley for two runners on. Palmer belted a pitch to left but came up just a few feet short of a home run.

Cypress was in trouble in the bottom of the seventh with two errors allowing two base runners on and just one out retired. The Charger defense produced a line out and a fly out for the next two outs stranding the runners and protecting their win. Gutierrez struck out nine in the game while improving to 12-3 on the season.

The Chargers will rest a few days before a four-game weekend at home. Cypress will start with El Camino and Merced Saturday and then Merced again Sunday followed by Glendale in the afternoon. The action starts Saturday morning at 11:00 am against El Camino at Cypress.