CYPRESS, CA- Cypress baseball (12-10, 4-2 OEC) hosted the Golden West Rustlers (14-9, 2-4 OEC) in the rubber match of their three game series on Saturday afternoon. The Chargers fought back from an early deficit to hold on to a 7-6 victory pushing them to first place in the Orange Empire Conference. 

Nick Baustista (6.0 IP) got the start on the bump for Cypress striking out four and allowing four earned runs over his six innings of work. Ryan White (2-for-4) was the star at the plate for Cypress as he drove in three runs and homered in the game. Dean Toigo (2-for-4) and Cade Liefer (1-for-4) both joined White in the home run category as Liefer hit his first of the season. Golden West pitcher, Johnnie Valdez Jr, pitched an excellent game throwing 7.0 innings allowing 6 hits and 3 runs. 

Ryan White got the scoring started in the bottom of the first as he singled to center field scoring Eddie Hacopian. Golden West answered with a two-run homer in the second inning by Dylan Kordic and a RBI single in the third to take a 3-1 lead. After a scoreless fourth inning, Cade Leifer sent a fly ball over the left field fence bringing the Chargers within one. Dylan Kordic did more damage for Golden West at the plate as he quickly got the Rustler's their run back with an RBI single to left field. 

The Chargers began their late inning surge with a Dean Toigo solo home run in the bottom of the seventh. After Brenden Harris reached first base via the walk, Ryan White came to the plate as Cypress trailed by one. White would come through with his biggest hit of the season as he launched a 386 ft. home run to put Cypress up 5-4. The inning would continue with back to back walks by the Rustlers leading to an RBI single from Dean Toigo that would score two runs. 

Entering the ninth inning, Cypress led by three runs and were looking to close the series. It would not be easy as a two out rally by Golden West scored two runs and had Cypress on their heels with the bases loaded and two outs. Cypress pitcher, Travis Lavendier, was able to strike out the final batter and slam the door on the Golden West comeback as he earned the save in the Chargers 7-6 victory. 

UP NEXT: Cypress will open up a three game series versus the Bobcats on Tuesday, March 22nd. The Chargers will play at Saddleback College at 2pm. 

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