CYPRESS, CA- Charger softball (36-6) won the series against the Pasadena City Lancers (24-18) in a close finish on Saturday afternoon, 5-4.
With Pasadena City as the home team, they managed to tally a run in the bottom of the first. With two outs in the frame, the Chargers suffered a costly error which rolled to the outfield wall for the first run to cross.
Cypress responded in the top of the second with a run to tie the game at one. Camryn Addimando led it off with a single and was then sacrificed over in a bunt from Mikala Jacobsen. Catcher Lizbeth Gomez continued her impressive offensive weekend as she singled in the Chargers first run.
Pasadena City regained the lead in the bottom of the third. Off of three hits, the Lancer bats made the score 1-2. Cypress did not stay down for long as they exploded for four runs in the fifth inning. A Jaylene Durate fly out led to an obstruction call at home plate which tied the game.
After a passed ball advanced the runners, Kaitlin Reynolds brought home one with her RBI hit. A batter later replicated the prior effort with her own run-scoring hit from Addimando. Jacobsen followed with the Chargers third consecutive RBI single to make the score 5-2.
The Lancers tied the game with a three-run fifth inning. Pasadena City hit a two-run home run to come within one run. With bases loaded, the Lancers dropped a bunt that allowed the tying run to score. The game headed into the final inning with the scoreboard knotted at five apiece.
The Chargers bats showed up when it mattered the most. Reynolds led off the inning with a single to put a runner on for Cypress. A sacrifice bunt from Addimando pushed Reynolds into scoring position. Down to two-outs, Gomez came up big with a rip into the left center gap. Waved home, Reynolds touched home to take the 6-5 advantage. Emily Rush finished her complete game as she shut down Pasadena City in the seventh for the series win.
Designated player Reynolds had an important day with her 2-4 day, RBI and two runs scored. Gomez's clutch bat propelled Cypress to the win as she went 3-4 with two key runs batted in. Orange Empire Conference MVP Rush pitched a complete game as she struck out five and did not walk a batter. The Chargers held their ground at home with the two close wins to win the series over the Pasadena City Lancers.
UP NEXT: The Chargers will now advance to the Super Regionals in the 3C2A playoff bracket. Cypress will host the winner of the Ventura Pirates and El Camino Warriors series. First game will be on Friday, May 12th. Be sure to check CypressChargers.com for more details on schedule updates.
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