Cypress Scores Five Times in Seventh for Playoff Win

Host Cypress earned its 10th consecutive appearance in the state tournament with a 5-0 victory over Saddleback in the Southern California playoffs Saturday.

The Chargers (49-5) scored five runs in the top of the seventh to break a scoreless tie. Michele Bailon, Heather Tom, and Ro Lutz each had an RBI single in the inning. The other two runs scored on wild pitches.

Mandy Rockwell (26-4) pitched six shutout innings for the win. She held Saddleback (27-13) to three singles and walked one. The state tournament starts Friday in Fresno.

Saddleback beat Bakersfield, 5-4, in 12 innings earlier Saturday.

Stephanie Gosselin doubled home Jennifer Sutherland with one out in the bottom of the 12th inning for the Gauchos.

Saddleback, trailing 3-1 in the bottom of the seventh, scored two runs to force extra innings. Tara Kroener’s two-out single tied it, 3-3.

Saddleback, trailing 4-3 in the bottom of the eighth with two outs, scored on an error to stay alive.

In other playoff games:

Fullerton 4, Alan Hancock 3 (13 innings)--Marisa Ornelas scored the game-winner from third on Nikia Owens’ bunt single with two outs in the 13th inning for visiting Fullerton. Michelle Harrison pitched 13 innings, striking out nine and walking one as Fullerton (29-15) advanced to the state tournament.

Hancock had eliminated Fullerton at Fullerton in regional play last season.

Ventura 2, Santa Ana 1 (14 innings)--Ventura’s Trina Ayala singled in two runs for the Pirates (23-21) in the top of the 14th in an elimination game at Long Beach. Santa Ana had a chance to tie the score in the bottom of the 14th, but was unable to drive in Jessica Cisneros from third base with two outs. The Dons finish 21-19.

Chaffey 5, Golden West 3--Golden West scored two runs on two singles and a throwing error in the first inning. The Rustlers held on to a one-run lead until the sixth inning, when Chaffey (25-12) had six consecutive batters reach base and scored three runs at Palomar.

The Rustlers (21-14) need to win four consecutive games today to advance to the state tournament. Golden West plays Victory Valley at 10 a.m. at Palomar.

Victor Valley lost to Palomar, 1-0.