Warriors Lose Close One in Game Two vs Cypress

TORRANCE, Calif. - No. 2 El Camino College had the tying and go-ahead run on base with one out in the Top of the Ninth inning vs No. 11 Cypress, but Cypress was able to get a fly out to right field and doubled up the runner on second to end the game with a 2-1 win for the Chargers on Friday afternoon at Warrior Field in Game Two of the CCCAA Southern California Super Regional.  

The Warriors (35-7) couldn't get much going against the Cypress Chargers (30-14) pitcher, Reid Sebby.  Sebby went 8.1 innings allowing just one unearned run, 7 hits, 1 walk, and fanned four batters. Aaron Orozco had a quality start for the designated visting side and went 6 scoreless innings, allowing five hits, four walks, and struck out six batters.  However, Orozco had to deal with lots of long at-bats and high pitch counts and tossed 121 pitches to complete six innings. Julian Diaz suffered the loss after allowing two runs on four hits, zero walks, and striking out two batters.

Neither side had much going offensively in the pitchers duel between both teams.  The Warriors only had four hits through eight innings until they were on the verge of a big inning in the 9th inning when they had three hits.  Joseph Borges led the Warriors offensively going 3-for-4 from the dish with one run scored. Mariano Ricciardi went 2-for-3 with one run scored for Cypress.

Cypress took a 1-0 lead in the 7th inning.  Mariano Ricciardi had a one out double to LF and Isaiah Stewart followed up with a single to put runners on the corners.  Eric Bigani scored Ricciardi on a bunt that Diaz didn't field cleanly to score the first run of the game.

Cypress added another run in the eighth inning after Matt Kirk led the inning off with a base hit.  Rafael Flores doubled to right center to score Kirk and make it a 2-0 game for the home side.

Down to their final three outs, the Warriors had the beginnings of a game tying rally in the top of the 9th.  Spencer Palmer led the inning off with an infield single and advanced to second on a wild throw by the second basemen.  Joseph Borges singled to the shortstop to put the first two runners on board. Spencer Long hit into a fielder's choice to keep the runners on 1st/2nd.  Ty Conrad singled through the right side and the right fielder misplayed the ball and Borges scored on the play to give the Warriors a 2-1 lead and optimism for a comeback.  However, Cypress changed pitchers and the new pitcher got Aaron Orozco to line out to right field. Long was running on the play from second and was doubled up to end the ball game as a 2-1 loss for the Warriors.

El Camino College will now head to Game Three of their Super Regional against Cypress and play on Saturday, May 11th at 12:00 PM.  The Warriors are the home side after serving as the designated visiting side in Game 2. Max Pappas (7-1) will take the mound for the Warriors while Cypress will most likely counter with RHP Adrian Chaidez (7-1).  It's a winner take all scenario for both teams as both sides hope to advance to the Sectional Finals.