Charger Season Ends in Defensive Showdown

Cypress finishes in fourth.

Cypress ends their season with a 53-4 record.

May 17, 2008

Final Stats

Riverside, Calif. - The Chargers entered their fourth game of the State Championship tournament Saturday afternoon facing off against the number one seed in the north Sacramento City as both played to extend their seasons for at least one more game. Cypress outhit Sacramento City but could not bring in a run stranding five runners on base as they lost 1-0 ending their 2008 season. The Chargers finish theirs season 53-4 finishing fourth in the State Championship tournament.

Cypress’s own South Pitcher of the Year, freshman Alyssa Freight, battled it out with the north’s Pitcher of the Year Amanda Monday. The match-up went as expected as both teams struggled to generate a hit. The Charger troubles started early stranding a runner on second in the first after freshman center fielder Amanda Fama singled and moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore third baseman Sarah Strong. One of Cypress’s best opportunities came in the second as freshman left fielder Kayla Van Dieren reached on a bunt single followed by a walk by freshman designated player Lisa Armenta. Both moved to scoring position on a sacrifice bunt by freshman catcher Vanessa Claro with just one out down. Cypress had two more outs to score the runners but could do nothing with them as both were stranded there.

The Charger offense did their best to eliminate Sac City runners. Cypress caught one stealing in the first and eliminated one on a double play in the second. Cypress had another opportunity to score in the fifth as freshman right fielder Vanessa Gonzales reached on a bunt single, moved to second on a sacrifice bunt by sophomore second baseman Christina Gonzales, and third on a ground out. She would be left there at third as Cypress stranded its fifth runner in scoring position.

While Cypress could not cash in on their opportunity in the fifth, Sacramento City did. They produced a lead off double that moved to third on a sacrifice bunt and scored on an RBI fielder’s choice. The Chargers had two innings to play catch-up. They went down in order in the sixth. In the seventh, sophomore Caitlin McGrath singled through the left side. While attempting to steal second, the umpire made a controversial call saying she left early for the third out and ending the game and Cypress’s shot at a comeback.

Freight pitched as advertised allowing just two hits and two walks. She finishes her season 34-4 third on the Cypress season record list in wins and third in strikeouts (168).

Cypress finishes their season 53-4 with their seventh straight Orange Empire Conference Championship and their seventh straight State Tournament appearance.