Cypress’ Cosgrove Quiets Fresno

Michael Cosgrove, already the winningest pitcher in Cypress history, added to his legend Saturday in the first round of the state tournament in Fresno.

He pitched a masterful four-hitter as Cypress beat host Fresno, 2-1, in front of a record crowd of 1,300.

The most emotional inning was the eighth, when Fresno’s Kevin Patrick opened with a double down the right-field line, bringing the Fresno players on the bench and much of the crowd to their feet.

Aaron Hoskins, who hit a home run in the third for Fresno’s only run, then sacrificed Patrick to third.

Cosgrove, a sophomore right-hander, then dampened the noise somewhat by striking out designated hitter Brandon Herzog on an inside fastball.

Jeremy Freitas then flew out to left and Cosgrove jumped off the mound and gestured “in your face” to the Fresno bench.

“I shouldn’t have done that,” Cosgrove said. “I lost my composure. But they were talking trash and pointing at me . . . I was just trying to hit my spots all night.”

Cosgrove, who is 3-0 in the playoffs with two complete games, settled down and retired Fresno in order in the ninth.

The final out came when Ryan Sauceda lifted a fly ball to medium right field. It was one of only six balls Fresno hit out of the infield.

“I heard their fans saying that ball was out,” Cosgrove said, “and I’m saying ‘Na, we got Scott Daeley out there making the catch.”’

Cosgrove, who has signed with Tennessee, improves to 11-1 this season and is 20-2 in two seasons at Cypress. He struck out six, walked one and hit a batter. Fresno (34-16) had only three runners reach second.

“I don’t know if it was his best game,” pitching coach Bill Pinkham said. “But it was his biggest.”

Cosgrove’s performance was needed because Fresno’s Ted Lilly (4-7) also pitched a strong game.

Lilly, who has signed to attend Cal State Fullerton next fall, gave up eight hits.

Cypress got 15 of its first 30 hitters on base but only scored in the fourth.

Greg Jacobs was hit with one out and an out later, Matt Roman beat out a bunt on a very close play at first.

Daeley singled to right to score Jacobs and tie it, 1-1. The go-ahead run scored when Keith Ginter struck out and catcher Jeff Alfano failed to hold onto the ball, allowing Roman to score.

Cypress (40-12) advances to play Orange Empire Conference-rival Rancho Santiago at 3 p.m. today.

Rancho Santiago beat Cypress in three of four conference games this season.

“Cosgrove picked the best time to pitch the best game of his life,” Cypress Coach Scott Pickler said.