Cypress Sweeps LA Mission in Thrilling Doubleheader Showdown

CYPRESS, CA - Cypress College Baseball (9-3) turned a long Friday at the ballpark into a statement day, sweeping LA Mission (5-8) in a dramatic doubleheader capped by late-inning heroics in both games. The Chargers rallied for a 4-3 walk-off-style win in the seven-inning opener, then used a five-run seventh and a game-saving defensive play in the nightcap to secure a 6-5 victory and a clean sweep.

Game 1 belonged to clutch hitting and shutdown relief. Trailing 3-0 heading into the bottom of the sixth, Cypress loaded the bases and finally broke through when John Short ripped a double down the left-field line, clearing the bases and tying the game 3-3. One inning later, with the score still knotted and tension building, Justin Tillar shot a hard grounder between third base and shortstop, plating Ty Peters for the go-ahead run that lifted the Chargers to a 4-3 win.

While the late surge stole the spotlight, the Chargers' pitching kept them within striking distance all afternoon. After LA Mission pushed across single runs in the first, second and fourth innings, Cypress turned to reliever Rudy Carlos, who slammed the door. Carlos worked 3.2 scoreless innings out of the bullpen, allowing no hits and striking out two to earn the win, giving the offense the space it needed to mount its comeback.

Short emerged as the offensive catalyst of the opener, finishing with three RBIs on his game-tying double in the sixth. Tillar added a hit, run scored and the game-winning RBI, while Cypress out-hit LA Mission 6-3 and played clean defense with no errors. LA Mission's staff allowed just four runs and three walks, but the Chargers' timely hitting in the final two innings proved decisive.

In Game 2, Cypress carried its momentum straight into another come-from-behind thriller. The Chargers grabbed an early 1-0 lead in the first when Derek Gonzales singled to right to drive in Travis Curry. LA Mission answered with a three-run third inning to go up 3-1. From there, Cypress pitching held the visitors in check until the offense broke through in a big way in the seventh.

Down 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh, the Chargers staged their second huge rally of the day. Ty Peters first delivered with a two-run double to right field, pulling Cypress even. Shortly after, Short stepped back into the spotlight and launched a three-run home run and credited for four RBIs as he brought in Tony Martinez, Peters and Gonzales to give Cypress a commanding 6-3 lead. It was Short's second game in a row delivering the decisive blow, finishing the nightcap with four RBIs on the long ball and cementing a standout doubleheader performance.

On the mound, Cypress again leaned on strong work from the bullpen. Talan Larson was superb in relief, tossing three scoreless innings while allowing just one hit to earn the win. Donald Murray closed it out in the ninth, recording the save with a scoreless frame and no hits allowed. LA Mission did not go quietly, trimming the lead to 6-5 in the ninth.

The final out of the day came on a defensive gem that perfectly captured the Chargers' grit. With the potential tying run at third base and LA Mission threatening to steal home to even the game, shortstop Travis Curry stayed alert and "called game," firing a strike to catcher Trent Johnson, who applied the tag on the runner trying to swipe the plate. The heads-up play halted the rally, preserved the 6-5 win and sealed the doubleheader sweep for Cypress.

UP NEXT: The Chargers will travel to Palomar College to take on the Comets Sunday, February 22 at 1:00PM.

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