CYPRESS, CA- Chargers baseball (10-3, 0-0 OEC) edged past the Canyons Cougars (7-5, 0-0 WSC) on Thursday afternoon, 5-4.
The two teams met for a short two game series where the Chargers hosted the first matchup, and then will travel to Canyons for the final meeting. The visiting Cougars did not wait to put runs on the scoreboard. In the Cougars first opportunity, they tallied two runs to take an early lead. Cypress had a response in the next two frames. In the bottom of the second, Cole Wentz singled which brought home Cade Liefer to cut the deficit in half. Luke Honikel hit a shot over the fence to tie the duel in the third inning with two apiece.
A frame later, Wentz got back into the action with a two-RBI single to have Cypress go on top for the first time on the day. The game was quiet in the middle innings until the Chargers added an important insurance run in the eighth. Wentz repeated his clutch performance and singled in Leifer to make the Cypress lead 5-2.
In the top of the ninth, the Cougars made it interesting as they tallied two runs to come within one. With runners on, Andrew Dusablon was brought into the game for the close. He struck out the final batter of the day to seal the victory and defeated Canyons, 5-4.
In the eight hole as a designated hitter, Wentz went off and was responsible for four of the five runs for the Chargers. He went 3-4 and knocked in four RBI's. Honikel left the park for a home run as he went 2-3, scored once and drew four balls for a walk. On the mound, Evan Adolphus shoved 6.0 innings, struck out four and earned the win. Josh Laundry pitched 2.0 frames, struck out three and only allowed one hit. Dusablon struck out the one batter he faced to receive the save in the top of the ninth. The Chargers held strong in the end to win their sixth game in a row.
UP NEXT: Cypress will visit the Canyons Cougars to end the two-game series on Saturday, March 4th. First pitch will be at 12pm.
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