Softball Playoffs: Cypress slips by Palomar to gain Super Regional final; Teams will square off for title
By Robert Nilsen
CYPRESS, Calif. - No. 1 Cypress softball (44-0) came from behind and defeated Palomar College (29-12) 3-2 in 9 innings on Saturday morning. The Chargers were designated the away team for this game. With the win the Chargers advance to the Super Regional Final against Palomar College who defeated Santiago Canyon 9-8 in their second game on Saturday afternoon.
State Picher of the Year Destiny Vasquez (26-0) threw her second complete game in as many days as she picked up the victory. Vasquez went 9 innings while allowing just 2 runs, including 1 earned run on 7 hits while striking out 4 Comets. Nicole Wise (1-for-4, 3 RBI) led the Chargers offense.
Crystal DesLauriers (23-6) received the loss for the Comets. DesLauriers threw a complete game and allowed just 3 runs on 3 hits while striking out 11 Chargers, but she also walked 7 batters and hit 5.
The Comets got on the board first in the bottom of the first inning. With 2 outs the Comets put 2 runners on with back-to-back base hits. Tiare PaoPao then grounded an RBI single past the glove of the shortstop to give the Comets a 1-0 lead.
The Chargers were able to break through in the top of the sixth inning. Kiani Puailoa led off the inning by reaching on an error. Then the Chargers loaded the bases after two batters were hit by pitches. With 2 outs Wise blooped a 2-run single into left field to give the Chargers a 2-1 lead.
The Comets were able to tie the game in the bottom of the sixth inning as they scored on an error with 1 out to make it 2-2.
With 2 on and 1 out in the top of the ninth inning DesLauriers intentionally walked Alexis Zavala to load the bases. Wise then hit an RBI groundout down the first base line, which allowed the go ahead run to score as the Chargers took a 3-2 lead. Vasquez then shut down the Comets in the bottom of the ninth inning to pick up the victory.
The Chargers will play the Comets tomorrow afternoon at 12:00 PM and 2:00 PM (if necessary).
CCCAA Softball Championships
Super Regional Round
Double-elimination
May 12-14 (Friday-Sunday)
Saturday's Results
Northern California
San Mateo Super Regional
College of San Mateo 13, Sierra 4
Foothill 5, Taft 0(Taft eliminated)
Foothill 4, Sierra 3 (Sierra eliminated)
San Joaquin Delta Regional
San Joaquin Delta 6, Cosumnes River 1
Ohlone 7, Diablo Valley 1 (DVC eliminated)
Ohlone 1, Cosumnes River 0 (CRC eliminated)
Southern California
Cypress Regional
Cypress 3. Palomar 2
Santiago Canyon 9, College of the Canyons 5 (Canyons eliminated)
Palomar 8, Santiago Canyon 7 (Santiago Canyon eliminated))
Mt. San Antonio Super Regional
Mt. San Antonio 9, El Camino 5
Antelope Valley 8, Cerritos 3 (Cerritos eliminated)
Antelope Valley 5, El Camino 4 (El Camino eliminated)
Sunday's Schedule
Northern California
San Mateo Super Regional
College of San Mateo (35-6) vs. Foothill (36-7)
(Second game to follow if Foothill wins Game 1)
San Joaquin Delta Regional
San Joaquin Delta (38-5) vs. Ohlone (29-14)
(Second game to follow if Ohlone wins Game 1)
Southern California
Cypress Regional
Cypress (44-0) vs. Palomar (30-12)
(Second game to follow if Palomar wins Game 1)
Mt. SAC Super Regional
Mt. San Antonio (39-3) vs. Antelope Valley (28-16)
(Second game to follow if Antelope Valley wins Game 1)