Third-ranked Cypress readies for showdown with fifth straight win

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CYPRESS, Calif. – The Cypress College softball team (5-0) defeated Long Beach City College (5-3) 7-0 at home on Friday. The Chargers entered the contest ranked No. 3 in the state and No. 2 in Southern California. 

Destiny Vasquez (3-0) got the start for the Chargers on her birthday. She recorded her third win of the season as she shut out the Vikings over 7 innings, allowing 2 hits, while striking out 5 batters with 1 walk. Alexis Zavala (2-fo-4, RBI) and Val Romano (2-for-3, RBI) led the Chargers offense. 

Alyssa Cienfuegos (3-2) received the loss for the Vikings, allowing 7 hits and 5 runs in 4 innings pitched while walking 2 batters 

The Chargers got off to a quick start in the bottom of the first as Zavala would steal home with 2 outs to give the Chargers a 1-0 lead. In the fourth inning Nicole Wise (1-for-3, RBI) ripped an RBI single into right field with no outs to extend the lead to 2-0. Romano would follow that with a single of her own to pad the lead to 3-0. Melanie Okazaki (1-for-4, RBI) and Kiani Puailoa (2-for-3, RBI) each added RBI singles as Cypress took a 5-0 lead into the fifth inning. The Chargers would strike for 2 more runs in the sixth inning, courtesy of an error and a base hit by Zavala as they came away with the 7-0 victory. 

No. 3 softball will return to action at home in their conference opener against No. 2 Santiago Canyon on Wednesday, Feb. 15 at 3:00 p.m. 

(Courtesy Robert Nilsen, Cypress Athletics)