Chargers Pace Themselves to a Quick Win

Gutierrez went 3 for 4 Wednesday afternoon.

Cypress ended it in six innings.

Arpil 4th, 2007

Final Stats

Cypress, Calif. - The Chargers polished off their Wednesday double-header against Cuesta utilizing the eight run mercy rule to end it in just six innings. Cypress scored consistently and shut out the Cougars for an 8-0 win. Sophomore pitcher Alyssa Gutierrez led from the plate and the mound just one home run away from hitting for the cycle and one hit away from pitching a perfect game. Gutierrez went 3 for 4 on the game with a single, double and triple. She also pitched six innings with 8 strikeouts allowing just one hit to improve to 20-4.

Cypress started strong defensively with a strikeout and two pop-ups to retire the Cougars in order. The Chargers took the lead early this time starting with two straight singles. Freshman shortstop Ashley Boyd singled through the right side and then stole second. Gutierrez went the other way with a single through the left side. A mis-thrown ball from left field allowed Boyd to slide home and take 1-0 lead.

Boyd and first baseman Jessica Lupinetti played catch at the top of the second with two straight 6-3 putouts before Gutierrez struck out the third out looking. Cypress scored again in the second. Freshman designated hitter Caitlin McGrath outran the throw with a single to the shortstop. McGrath immediately stole second and then reached third on a wild pitch. Sophomore left fielder Sabrina Hernandez hit a fielder’s choice to the shortstop who tried to throw McGrath out at home. McGrath slid home and beat the throw for Cypress’s second run for the 2-0 lead.

Gutierrez struck out the side in the third not throwing one ball to make it another quick half inning. Gutierrez led the offense off at the bottom of the third with a triple down the right field line. Sophomore second baseman Gabrielle Woody brought Gutierrez home with a single up the middle. Sophomore catcher Brooke Pefley mimicked Woody with another single up the middle moving Woody to second. A ground out by freshman first baseman Jessica Lupinetti moved Woody and Pefley to third and second. Freshman third baseman Lizette Mejia made it the third single up the middle for two RBI as Woody and Pefley raced home for the second and third runs of the inning.

Two groundouts and a strikeout later, it would be Cypress’s chance at bat again at the bottom of the fourth. Sophomore center fielder Jade Espinoza reached first on a fielding error and then second on a groundout. Gutierrez would switch spots with her on a double to left for Cypress’s sixth run.

Gutierrez gave up her first hit at the top of the fifth breaking her chance at her fourth no-hitter of the season. Gutierrez would strand the runner at third with her seventh strikeout of the game to maintain the shutout. Cypress was finally blanked at the bottom of the fifth stranding two runners in scoring position. A ground out, line out, and strikeout number eight ended Cuesta’s hopes in the sixth. Cypress was not done in the sixth. With two outs retired, freshman shortstop Nicole Palmer reached first on an error and was followed by a well placed triple in right center from Pefley to score Palmer. Lupinetti hit one to the same spot for a double scoring Pefley and ending the game on the eight run rule.

Cypress takes the rest of spring break off before returning to conference action hosting rival Fullerton. Cypress defeated Fullerton earlier this season defeating the Hornets 5-0 late February. The two will face off again Tuesday at Cypress at 3:00 pm.