Cypress Chargers Clinch Share of OEC Title with 7-4 Win Over Orange Coast
Chargers Strike Early and Hold Off Pirates to Clinch Share of Orange Empire Conference Title
CYPRESS, CA - The Cypress College baseball team clinched a share of the Orange Empire Conference title on Thursday afternoon with a 7-4 victory over Orange Coast College. The win improves the Chargers to 29-7 overall and 15-2 in conference play, capping off a dominant regular season.
Freshman Justin Tillar continued his historic campaign, launching a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning — his 17th of the season. With the blast, Tillar continues to lead in the state in home runs and ranks third in RBIs with 59, putting him on pace to etch his name even deeper into the record books — all in his first year of collegiate play.
The Chargers wasted no time getting on the board, scoring four runs in the opening frame thanks to a mix of aggressive baserunning, timely hitting, and a pair of defensive miscues by the Pirates. A hit-by-pitch to Braden Ruiz with the bases loaded plated the game's first run, followed by RBIs from Nate Norman, Travis Curry, and Ty Peters to give Cypress a commanding 4-0 lead.
Tillar's homer in the fourth, a towering shot over the left-field fence, extended the lead to 6-1 before Luke Matlock added an RBI double down the line to cap the Chargers' scoring at seven.
On the mound, Brandon Wyland earned the win, scattering six hits over six innings while striking out five and allowing just one run. The bullpen held off a late push from the Pirates, with Douglas Crystal slamming the door in the ninth to secure the victory.
UP NEXT: The Chargers will close out the series on the road against Orange Coast College on Saturday, April 19. Cypress takes the mound at 12:00 pm.
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