COMMUNITY COLLEGE ROUNDUP : Mistake Helps Cypress Defeat Fullerton

With the help of an unusual mistake, Cypress beat Fullerton, 2-0, in an Orange Empire Conference softball game Wednesday at Cypress.

Fullerton’s troubles started in the sixth.

Cypress’ Rockie Breig opened the inning with an infield single and Christa Saindon walked. The runners advanced on Jenn Allchin’s sacrifice bunt.

After a meeting at the mound, Fullerton started to walk Briana Yoshina intentionally. But Stephanie Mendoza’s third pitch went over catcher Lupie Janos’ head, allowing Breig to score. Janos got the ball and threw to home where no one was covering and Saindon raced around third and also scored.

It was the 12th consecutive conference victory, the 10th by shutout, for Cypress (27-5, 13-1), which leads second-place Rancho Santiago by one game.

Deborah Goddu (9-2) struggled in the first two innings but recovered for the complete-game victory.

In the first, she retired the first two batters then Kristy Hensel doubled off the base of the fence in left.

Jennifer Johnson followed with a line-drive single to center, but Hensel held at third. Mendoza was walked intentionally and Janos grounded out to end the threat.

Traci Vargas opened the second with a single, but Michelle Rodriguez lined into a double play. Julie Littman and Cindy Escobedo followed with singles, but Mandy Mendoza flew out to right to end the inning.

Goddu gave up one hit in the final five innings. Stephanie Mendoza (11-2) took the loss.