Cypress Beats Sacramento for Third State Title in ‘90s

FRESNO — It was only fitting that Randy Case’s strong defensive play Monday ended the game that gave Cypress its third state community college baseball title of the ‘90s.

Case charged hard on a bunt and threw to first a step ahead of Shannon Veronie for the final out of a 7-4 victory over Sacramento in front of about 300.

Despite a sore arm that he iced after games this season, Case was solid in the field for all three games and earned a co-most valuable player award with teammate Scott Daeley.

“We weren’t cocky, but we were confident,” Case said. “We played wide open . . . Right when I threw the ball I put my arms in the air. There was no better way to win it. I’ll be going home with a smile on my face.”

Cypress (41-11-1) also won state titles in 1991 and 1994 for Coach Scott Pickler. The Chargers also beat Sacramento for the title in 1991. It was the fifth consecutive title for the Orange Empire Conference; Rancho Santiago won in 1993, ’95 and ’96.

“It never gets old,” Pickler said. “This isn’t the most talented team I’ve had, but they play as hard or harder than any others.”

Cypress got solid offensive performances from the usual players, led by sophomore catcher Craig Kuzmic, who has signed with Texas A & M. He blasted a two-run home run in the third and then had a run-scoring double in the sixth that put Cypress ahead, 6-4.

The home run was the 17th of the season for Kuzmic, the state’s co-player of the year, and the 20th of his career. His single-season total is a Cypress record and his career total is tied for second on Cypress’ all-time list.

Kuzmic was one of eight returning players who were on the field last year when Rancho Santiago beat the Chargers, 16-10, to win the state title.

“This year we were more clutch,” Kuzmic said, “I did feel less pressure and was a little more relaxed than last year. We felt like we needed to take [the championship] home.”

Cypress got another solid pitching performance from freshman reliever Jim Kirkland (3-1), who gave up a run and three hits in the final six innings. He was especially effective in the final three innings, when he gave up only one hit. He needed only six pitches in the ninth.

The reason for his strong finish was that he was able to establish his changeup, according to assistant coach Bill Pinkham, who calls the pitches.

“Of course I was nervous,” Kirkland said. “I struggled when I first came in, but Kuz relaxed me.”

Second baseman Nahum Renteria made perhaps the best play in the tournament. He bare-handed a high bouncer, then threw across his body to first baseman Brian Flanagan for the second out in the sixth. Renteria ended up face down near the pitching mound after the throw.

Cypress took a 2-1 lead when Kuzmic homered in the third and went up 3-2 on Matt Dempsey’s run-scoring double off the center field fence in the fourth. Sacramento got a run in the fourth as well, but Cypress got two more in the fifth to lead, 5-3.

Daeley started the inning with a triple to left-center and scored one out later when Greg Jacobs singled. Jacobs then stole second and scored on Flanagan’s single to left.

Daeley reached on a fielder’s choice in the sixth, then scored from first on Kuzmic’s double to the fence in left center. Kuzmic reached third on a passed ball and scored on a error to put Cypress ahead, 7-4.

Jacobs, who has signed with Cal State Fullerton, had three hits Monday and finished the tournament seven for 14.

“We had a lot less pressure this year,” Jacobs said. “I didn’t have the jitters. We knew we had to execute the little things and we did. This year we get to go home happy.”