Cypress Falls Short To Fullerton in Season Series, 2-1
Despite a strong first game, the Chargers fall to the Hornets.
CYPRESS, CA - Cypress College baseball (16-6, 4-2 OEC) falls short in the regular season series against the Fullerton Hornets (17-8, 4-2 OEC). The Hornets pulled away with two wins while the Chargers came away with one.
Game 1
Cypress used a six-run fifth inning to pull away from Fullerton College and secure a 7–1 victory on Tuesday afternoon at Cypress College.used a six-run fifth inning to pull away from Fullerton College and secure a 7–1 victory on Tuesday afternoon at Cypress College. After four scoreless innings to start the contest, the Chargers erupted in the bottom of the fifth to take control of the game. Cypress capitalized on timely hitting and defensive miscues to plate six runs in the inning and build a lead it would not relinquish.
Travis Curry delivered the biggest swing of the inning, driving in three runs to pace the Charger offense. Izaiah Posada also made an impact at the plate, going 2-for-2 with two runs scored and a home run, while Wyatt Joyce added a pair of hits in the win. On the mound, Rocky Palacio turned in a strong outing for Cypress. The right-hander worked six scoreless innings, allowing six hits while striking out three to improve to 5–0 on the season.
The Charger bullpen preserved the lead the rest of the way. Josue Sayre tossed two scoreless innings in relief before Talan Larson closed out the game in the ninth.
Game 2
Cypress jumped out to an early lead but ultimately fell in a back-and-forth contest, dropping an 8–7 decision to Fullerton on Thursday afternoon at Hornet Field. The Chargers struck first in the opening inning, plating two runs to take an early advantage. Cypress continued to apply pressure throughout the afternoon, collecting 11 hits in the game and scoring in five different innings.
Tyler Smith led the Chargers offensively with a 3-for-4 performance, scoring twice and driving in a run. Justin Tillar added two hits and launched a solo home run, while Wyatt Joyce contributed a double and two RBIs. John Short also provided a key pinch-hit moment with a two-run single to help keep the Chargers in front during the middle innings.
Cypress used four pitchers in the contest, with Donald Murray getting the start and working three innings before the bullpen took over.
Game 3
Cypress put together a strong offensive showing but ultimately fell to Fullerton 13–9 in a high-scoring contest on Friday afternoon at Cypress College.
The Chargers jumped out to an early lead, scoring once in the first inning and adding three more in the second to take a 4–0 advantage. Cypress continued to generate offense throughout the game, finishing with 14 hits and scoring in five different innings.
Tyler Smith led the Chargers at the plate with a 4-for-5 performance, scoring three runs while adding a double, triple, and two RBIs. Derek Gonzales also had a big day offensively, collecting three hits and driving in two runs, while John Short contributed two hits and a team-high three RBIs.
Despite the loss, the Chargers' lineup remained productive throughout the afternoon, with several players turning in multi-hit performances and the team matching Fullerton's offensive pressure for much of the game before the late rally shifted the outcome.
UP NEXT: The Chargers will be on the road playing in the AHC Spring Classic against the Allan Hancock Bulldogs on Wednesday, March 18th at 2:00PM
