Cypress Advances in State Softball

Cypress moved closer to completing its quest for a second consecutive state community college softball title by beating Sacramento, 4-1, in the winners’ bracket final at Buchanan High in Clovis on Saturday.

The Chargers advance to the championship game, where they will play the Sacramento-Long Beach winner at noon today.

“I like the position we’re in,” Cypress Coach Brad Pickler said, “It’s better than the alternative. I like our chances but we have to get it done. I don’t care who we play in the final.”

Cypress scored twice to take a 2-1 lead in the sixth as Michele Bailon had a run-scoring single to cap the inning. Nicole Falls walked with the bases loaded earlier in the inning to tie it.

The Chargers (52-5) used five walks and a single in the seventh to get two more runs. Danielle Haag (41-4) took the loss for Sacramento (60-8).

Haag walked nine and reliever Marissa Sequeria walked three.

Mandy Rockwell pitched a four-hitter with five strikeouts to improve to 29-4. Reanna Mendoza (23-1) will start today for Cypress and Rockwell will pitch in relief, Pickler said.

Cypress, which is making its 11th consecutive appearance in the state tournament under Pickler, won it all in 1991.

“I just want to get it done in one,” Pickler said, “We can’t fool around because we have a game to give.”

Fullerton played three times Saturday. The Hornets won twice but lost to Long Beach, 5-2, to finish fourth in the tournament. It was Long Beach’s fourth victory over the Hornets this season.

The Hornets beat Solano, 2-0, and San Joaquin Delta, 2-0. In the Delta game, Fullerton was hitless with one out in the seventh. But the Hornets then got three consecutive hits.

Pinch hitter Adriane Lopez hit a two-run double against Carrie Jasper (30-9), who took the loss.

Michelle Harrison pitched a three-hitter to improve to 24-11. Fullerton ends 31-19.