Third Time's (Also) a Charm: Chargers Three-peat CA Championship [Updated]

Congratulations to the 2010, 2011, and now 2012 California Community Colleges Athletics Association softball champions!

The Chargers defeated College of the Siskiyous twice on Sunday afternoon to earn the title — Cypress College's third consecutive and eighth overall.

The Chargers opened the tournament with a 9-7 victory on Friday evening over Sierra College (41-6), the north's second seed.

But a loss to Siskiyous (40-2) on Saturday evening  pushed Cypress to the elimination bracket, where the team played three consecutive must-win games en route to the championship.

The first was a 7-0 victory on Saturday night over Riverside Community College (33-13), the south's second seed.

That set up the first of two potential games on Sunday vs. Siskiyous.

The Chargers held on for an 8-7 victory in the noon contest, delivering Siskiyous their first loss in 20 games.

Immediately following the win, the two teams took the field again. Cypress surrendered a run in the top of the first, but went on to plate runs in each of the first three innings. The Chargers also sandwiched a 5th-inning run between 4th- and 6th-inning scores by Siskiyous to secure a 4-3 victory and the college's third consecutive state title.

Tiffany Fox was named tournament Most Valuable Player, while individual honors also went to Chargers Stephanie Luhmann (Most Valuable Pitcher), Jessica Reichner (Golden Glove), and All-Tournament selections for: Luhmann and Courtney McGee (pitchers); Mallory Campbell and Morgan Wheeler (infielders); Tiffany Fox and Chelsea Jewett (outfielders); and Arren Nunez (1B).

Notes: This is the 23rd consecutive season Coach Brad Pickler has taken a team to the California Final Four. The Chargers have also won the championship each of the three years it has been held in Bakersfield. No other college has won more California State Championships in softball than Cypress College (8). The Chargers are also the only team to win three consecutive CA titles, having now done it twice.


Box scores:
Cypress 9, Sierra 7
Siskiyous 8, Cypress 3
Cypress 7, Riverside 0
Cypress 8, Siskiyous 7
Cypress 4, Siskiyous 4


Recaps:
Cypress 9, Sierra 7
Siskiyous 8, Cypress 3
Cypress 7, Riverside 0
Cypress 8, Siskiyous 7
Cypress 4, Siskiyous 3

The 2012 California Community College Athletic Association Softball State Championship tournament bracket. Click to enlarge the photo.

Third Time's (Also) a Charm: Chargers Three-peat CA Championship

Congratulations to the 2010, 2011, and now 2012 California Community Colleges Athletics Association softball champions!

The Chargers, for the second time this afternoon, have defeated College of the Siskiyous to earn the title — Cypress College's third consecutive and eighth overall.

The Chargers opened the tournament with a victory on Friday evening. But a loss to Siskiyous yesterday pushed Cypress to the elimination bracket. Victories against Riverside (yesterday), and the two today secured the championship.

Chargers Win 8-7, Force Deciding Game

The Chargers have defeated College of the Siskiyous to keep the championship tournament going for one more game. The two teams are playing now for the title. Cypress is seeking its third consecutive California state championship.

Two-Time Defending Champion Chargers Back in Title Game

The Chargers are back in the California Community College Athletic Association championship softball game. They defeated Riverside 7-0 in a night contest to keep their hopes alive.

To claim a third consecutive title, the Chargers will have to defeat College of the Siskiyous twice, with the first contest beginning at noon.

If Cypress wins, the teams will play again at 2 pm.

Follow the action and see results here.

Chargers in Must-Win vs. Riverside

After dropping an 8-3 decision this evening to College of the Siskiyous, the Chargers are playing a must-win night contest. On the line is a trip to the state's title game tomorrow.

Chargers Win Opener, 9-7 Over Sierra College

The Chargers have just defeated Sierra College, 9-7, to open their two-time CA Softball Championship defense.

The Chargers next play College of the Siskiyous tomorrow at 5:30 pm., with the winner advancing to Sunday's championship game(s).

Today's box score is at: http://cccaasports.org/livestats/softball/xlive.htm

Chargers Returning to CA Final Four

The Chargers softball team is returning to the California State Championship Tournament following a sweep through their Super Regional bracket. The Chargers capped the tournament with a 13-1, 5 inning, mercy rule victory over rival Mt. SAC at Cypress College this afternoon. In the state tournament, the Chargers look to defend their back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. This is the 23rd consecutive season under Coach Brad Pickler that the team has advanced to the championships.