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.

Chargers Advance to Sunday Super Regional Championship

With a 5-2 victory over rival over Mt. SAC on Saturday, the Chargers have advanced to the Super Regional Championship of the South Site B pool.

The Chargers will have two opportunities on Mother's Day to take the title and earn one of four spots in the California state championships next weekend.

Mt. SAC and Glendale, the other team the Chargers have defeated in the double-elimination tournament, play this afternoon for the right to to play Cypress tomorrow.

Tournament bracket.

Chargers Open Super Regional with 7-1 Win

Cypress opened this weekend's Super Regional with a 7-1 victory over Glendale. The Chargers will play the winner of the Mt. Sac/Bakersfield contest (currently underway at Cypress College) at noon on Saturday.

Super Regional Tournament Bracket - South, Site B
CA Community College Athletic Association home

The Chargers celebrate a two-run home run by Courtney McGee to cap their scoring in a 7-1victory at Cypress College on Friday afternoon.

Cypress celebrates the 7-1 victory over Glendale. The Chargers play again on Saturday.

Softball Super Regional May 11-12-13, 2012 at Cypress College

Cypress will play Glendale at 2 p.m. and Mt. Sac meets Bakersfield at 4:00 p.m. Friday.

Cypress Shows No Mercy For Chaffey

The Chargers hit parade continued this past weekend against #15 Chaffey College in the first round of playoff action.  Cypress was unstoppable as they defeated the Panthers 8-0 on Saturday and 9-0 on Sunday allowing them to easily advance to the California State Super Regional.

Cypress is scheduled to take on Glendale College on Friday at 2pm at the Cypress College.  If victorious, the Chargers will take on the winner of the Mt. Sac v. Bakersfield match-up the following Saturday at 2pm.

For the first time in ten years, Mt. Sac and Cypress will meet up in Super Regional action.  Cypress has advanced to the state tournament for twenty-two consecutive years and Mt. Sac for the last ten years.  After this weekend, one of the streaks will be brought to a close.

Softball Team Nets MVP, All-Conference and Coach of the Year Selections

Cypress Chargers shortstop Jessica Reichner was named the Orange Empire Conference most valuable player and selected for the All-Conference “First Team,” while Coach Brad Pickler earned Coach of the Year honors.

Three other players were named to the OEC “Second Team”: outfielders Kristina Victa and Tiffany Fox, and pitcher Courtney McGee.

The Chargers went 36-4 overall (20-1 in the Orange Empire Conference) as they head into the playoffs this weekend. The defending State Champion and Orange Empire Conference title winners host the first-round of tournament as Southern California’s second seeded team.

The Chargers open their title defense in a best-of-three series against #15 Chaffey at 2 p.m. on Saturday. The teams meet again at noon on Sunday. If necessary, a third game will be played at 2 p.m. on Sunday.
If the Chargers advance, Cypress College will host a Super Regional series next weekend.

Chargers Just Keep Charging

Cypress beat the South Coast Conference Champion Falcons today 3-2.


BOX SCORE

Mallory Campbell

Once again the two-time defending California State Champs come out on top in a 3-2 victory over visiting Cerritos College.  This win marks the the Chargers 16th consecutive and also puts them that much closer to taking hold of the number one ranking in the state.  Cypress is currently ranked second behind College of the Siskiyous.

The Cypress offense seizes to slow down.  Once again, Charger bats were on fire.  Mallory Campbell extended her hitting streak to eight games today by going 2 for 3 with an RBI and two runs scored.  Jessica Reichner, Courtney McGee, Chelsea Jewett, and Tiffany Fox also chipped into the hit brigade.

Courtney McGee, another key transfer pick up for the Chargers, picked up her 13th win today as she battled her way through seven innings.  Things got a little rocky for McGee in the top of the fifth; with no outs and the bases loaded McGee worked her way out of the jam.  From that point on, McGee was nearly untouchable as she held the Falcons to just two runs.

Tomorrow the Chargers take on Palomar in a make-up double header that was originally supposed to played last Saturday, April, 14th.  Palomar comes to Cypress ranked 16th in the state.  If the Chargers keep playing the way they have been, the Comets stand no chance.

Cypress Goes Full Throttle

With the conference championship clinched, the Chargers show no signs of slowing down.

Kristina Victa

Cypress, Calif. - The Chargers captured their 15th consecutive victory today against Orange Coast College (4-14, 10-25).  With the playoffs just around the corner, Cypress (32-4, 19-1) look to be in peak condition.  The Chargers are playing near perfect defense and utilizing all aspects of the game at the plate.

The speedy lefty slapper, Kristina Victa, led the surge for Cypress offensively today.  Victa, who is batting sixth in the Orange Empire Conference, went 2 for 3 with an infield single and a double in the left center gap. Six of the nine starters pitched in with hits of their own.

Reigning MVP, Monique Hernandez, got the start on the mound today for the Chargers.  Hernandez gave up one run on four hits in a complete game 10-1 mercy victory over the visiting Pirates.

Cypress College will be taking on the South Coast Conference champions, Cerritos Falcons, tomorrow at Cypress at 1pm.  Tomorrows game should give the Chargers a pretty good idea as to what is just around the corner in the playoffs.

Chargers Win 14th Straight

With the win, the Chargers seal the deal on yet another conference championship.


BOX SCORE

Mallory Campbell

Santa Ana, Calif. - Freshman pitching sensation, Stephanie Luhmann, was merely untouchable on Wednesday afternoon against the Santa Ana Dons.  Luhmann picked up her 14th win in a nail biting 1-0 victory.  While picking up their 14th consecutive victory, Cypress College (31-4, 18-1) clinched their 11th straight Orange Empire Conference title.

Not typical of this years Chargers, Cypress offensively had to play a little bit of small ball to push across Chelsea Jewett, the go ahead run, in the top of the fifth.  Mallory Campbell lead the offense while going 3 for 3 at the plate.  Campbell, a freshman transfer, as become a huge part of the Charger line-up both offensively and defensively.

If the Chargers keep it up, they seem to be headed straight for a three-peat at the State Championships.

Saturday's games have been rescheduled for Sunday, April 22.

Saturday's matchups will be played a week from Sunday.

Stephanie Luhmann

Cypress, Calif. - With possible bad weather on the horizon, and both visiting schools a few hours away, Saturday's softball games have been rescheduled for Sunday, April 22.

(Due to the scheduling change, Antelope Valley College may not be able to play on the new date. The following schedules account for if AVC does, or does not play.)

If AVC does play:

Game 1 will feature Cypress College vs. either Palomar College or Antelope Valley College at 11 a.m.

Game 2 will feature Antelope Valley vs. Palomar at 1 p.m.

Game 3 will feature Cypress vs. AVC/Palomar (the team it didn't play in the first game) at 3 p.m.

If AVC does not play:

The Chargers will play a doubleheader with Palomar.

Game 1 will start at 11 a.m.
Game 2 will start at 1 p.m.

*All times are approximate

April 13 Game vs. Saddleback Rescheduled

The Orange Empire Conference game from Friday, April 13 against Saddleback College has been rescheduled for Tuesday, April 17 at 3 p.m.

Chargers Regain No. 1 Ranking in the State Polls

 The team is much improved since the beginning of the year.

Cypress, Calif. - Cypress College softball lost its No. 1 ranking in the state polls after dropping a few early season matchups.

It took awhile, but they have finally climbed back to the top of the polls, and reclaimed the No. 1 ranking.With a 29-4 overall mark, and a near perfect 16-1 record in league play, Cypress looks like a third straight state championship might be in the future.

BACK to BACK STATE CHAMPS

 

Cypress Blanks Fullerton 9-0

The Chargers had all aspects of their game on display Thursday.

Courtney McGee

BOX SCORE


Cypress, Calif. - On the mound, or at the plate, Cypress seemed to do whatever it wanted to do in a 9-0 blowout victory over Fullerton College at home on Thursday.

Charger starting pitcher Stephanie Luhmman earned her 13th save of the season, while Courtney McGee blasted a homerun in the game.

Cypress will host Saddleback College at 2 p.m. tomorrow afternoon, as well as a split doubleheader against Antelope Valley with the first pitch scheduled for 11 a.m. The Chargers second game of the afternoon is against Palomar College at 3 p.m.

Cypress Outlast Hawks at Home

Cypress used a few timely hits to earn the season sweep over Santiago Canyon.

• BOX SCORE

Stephanie Luhmann

Cypress, Calif. - On a day when Cypress College couldn't get much going with the bats, the Cypress pitching staff came up big to hold Santiago Canyon College to a pair of runs in a 4-2 Orange Empire Conference victory for Cypress at home.

The Chargers (28-4, 15-1)only finished with a total of six hits on the day, including a pair by Olivia Arredondo, and one each by Jessica Reichner, Mallor Campbell, Arren Nunez and Courtney McGee. Reichner and Nunez each had one RBI for Cypress, while McGee drove in two herself.

Stephanie Luhmann 12-1 came out of the bullpen to toss 5.1 innings of scoreless relief by allowing one walk, four hits, and five strikeouts.

Cypress jumped out to an early 1-0 lead after Campbell tripled then scored on a wild pitch. The Chargers tacked on two more runs in the bottom of the third inning when McGee drove in Chelsea Jewett and Campbell with a bases clearing double to left center.

In their next at-bat, the Chargers scored their fourth and final run of the game when Arredondo reached on a leadoff double down the left field line, then came in to score on a grounder by Reichner that was called an error on the SCC shortstop.

Santiago Canyon would claw back with one run in the sixth and another in the seventh, but that is as close as the Chargers would let them get the rest of the way in a 4-2 league victory on Wednesday.

The Chargers will return to action next week when they take on Fullerton College at home on Wednesday, April 11 at 3 p.m.

Chargers Take Season Series Over Riverside

Stephanie Luhmann went the distance to help Cypress clinch the season series.

• BOX SCORE
  

Jessica Reichner

Riverside, Calif. - Jessica Reichner got it done for Cypress at the plate with a pair of hits, two runs scored and a couple of runs batted in, while Stephanie Luhmann had the Riverside offense purring like kittens with a complete game victory over the Tigers.

Luhmann (11-1) allowed only run in the game, and that was unearned. She also only handed out one walk, and struck out seven RCC hitters. Nicole Zink (13-5) got the loss after allowing three runs - all earned - in seven innings of work.

Kristina Victa finished a perfect 2 for 2 with a run scored, and Mallory Campbell accounted for the rest of the Charger offense with a hit and RBI against the Tigers.

Cypress returns home after a long road trip when they take on Santiago Canyon on Wednesday, April 4 at 3 p.m.

Cypress Wins All Four at Ventura

Chargers improve to 26-4 with a four victories at Ventura.

Tiffany Fox

Ventura, Calif. - The Cypress College softball continued to roll towards the playoffs with a four game non-conference sweep over four different schools at host Ventura College over the weekend.

The Chargers shut out three of four opponents beginning with a 4-0 win victory over Long Beach City College in their opener. In the second game on Saturday, Cypress blew out Oxnard College 17-0 in a mercy shortened contest.

In the third game of the weekend, Reedley College gave the Chargers their best game in awhile, but weren't able to pull out a victory against the Orange Empire Conference leaders in a 5-4 Cypress victory.

The last game of the weekend finished just like the first two, as Cypress cruised to a 10-0 win over Ventura College on its own field.

The Chargers get back into conference play when they travel to Riverside to close out their season series with the Tigers.

McGee No-Hits Golden West

Courtney McGee tossed a five-inning no-hitter against the Rustlers.

Courtney McGee

Huntington Beach, Calif. - Cypress dominated Golden West College in an 11-0 victory. Courtney McGee earned the no-hit victory with a six strikeout, two walk day on the mound.

At the plate, Jessica Reichner was on fire. Reichner finished 4 for 4 with 2 runs and 2 RBI. Natalia Morales also finished perfect at the plate with a 3 for 3 effort that included 2 runs scored and an RBI. Kristina Victa and Olivia Arredondo both collected two hits, 1 RBI and 2 runs. Mallory Campbell and Monique Hernandez drove in the other two runs, while Melissa Mankey, Tiffany Fox and Katie Zwickl accounted for Cypress other three scores in the game.

Cypress heads on the road to Ventura for a four game set against Long Beach City, Oxnard, Reedley and host Ventura before returning home to face off against Santiago Canyon at home on Wednesday, April 4 at 3 p.m.

Cypress Sails Past Coast

Mallory Campbell had a sizzling 4 for 4 day in the Chargers 11-3 victory over OCC.

• BOX SCORE
  

Mallory Campbell

Cypress, Calif. - Cypress College softball took one more step towards the inevitable with an 11-3 rout of Orange Coast College at home on Wednesday.

Mallory Campbell was unstoppable with a 4 for 4 performance that included three runs scored and an RBI. Natalia Morales drove in a pair of runs, while Tiffany Fox finished with three RBI and two runs scored on an inside the park home run down the right field line. Chelsea Jewett chipped in with a run scored and one RBI in the game, and Kristina Victa, Morgan Wheeler, Olivia Arredondo, Katrina Weber and Jessica Reichner all scored one time each as well.

Cypress fell behind 2-0 after the top of the first inning, but cut the deficit in half with a run in the bottom half of the inning, when Campbell tripled then scored on a wild pitch by Orange Coast starting pitcher Daae Cantu (5-12) to make it a 2-1 game.

Coast's Alosina Skipps gave the Pirates a two-run advantage in the top of the second when she lifted her fourth home run of the year over the center field wall. Head coach Brad Pickler made a call to the bullpen a few batters later to bring Stephanie Luhmann (7-1) in to relieve Cypress starting pitcher Monique Hernandez. Luhmann would go on to earn her seventh victory of the year after tossing 3.2 innings of no hit ball that included five strikeouts. Courtney McGee came in to pitch the final two outs of the game.

Cypress tied the game with two runs in the bottom half of the second, then opened up a three run lead in the third when Fox drove in Campbell and Jewett an inside the park homerun down the right field line.

The Chargers tacked on four more runs in the fourth inning when Campbell singled in Victa, Reichner scored on a Jewett sac fly to center, and Campbell and Weber both scored on a couple of OCC defensive miscues on the same play.

The game was called in the sixth after the Chargers made it an eight-run game.

Cypress heads to Ventura this weekend to play four games before returning home to play Santiago Canyon for the third and final time next Wednesday at 2 p.m.

Chargers Hold Off Dons in 5-4 Victory at Home

Stephanie Luhmann

Stephanie Luhmann won her sixth game; Tiffany Fox drove in four RBI.

Cypress, Calif. - Tiffany Fox drove in four runs and Chelsea Jewett had the Chargers other RBI in a 5-4 Orange Empire Conference victory at Cypress College on Friday. Jewett went a perfect 3 for 3 at the plate with a pair of runs scored. Mallory Campbell also scored twice, while Jessica Reichner came in to score one time against the Dons.

Cypress (20-4, 11-1) pitcher starting Stephanie Luhmann (6-1) picked up her sixth win of the year after allowing just two runs on six hits in four innings of work. Courtney McGee got her first save of the year after tossing six innings of two-run ball out of the bullpen. Santa Ana (15-9, 6-6) starting pitcher Kaitlyn Hooper (12-7) got tagged with the loss after giving up five runs - all earned - on nine hits in six innings on the mound.

The Chargers return to action on Wednesday, March 28. when Orange Coast College comes to visit. That game is scheduled for 3 p.m.

Chargers Blank Gauchos

Cypress scores eight runs in the fifth and sixth to mercy-rule Saddleback 8-0.

• BOX SCORE

Jessica Reichner

Cypress, Calif. - After four scoreless innings by the leagues top-two offenses, Cypress College (19-4, 10-1) erupted for eight runs in the final two innings to blank Saddleback College (21-6, 9-3) 8-0 in an Orange Empire Conference matchup at Cypress on Wednesday.

With the victory, the Chargers clinched the season series over the Gauchos, and solidified their stranglehold on first place in the OEC standings after an impressive win that put them a game-and-a-half ahead of Saddleback at the top of the league rankings. The mercy-rule shortened game was called in the bottom of the sixth inning after Cypress tagged Danielle Santos (17-2) for five runs to make it 8-0. Cypress won the previous matchup this season between the two squads 7-1, and has now dominated the Gauchos by a 15-1 margin in two combined OEC games.

Cypress starting pitcher Courtney McGee (9-2) picked up the victory after tossing six innings of shutout ball, and allowing just four hits to the Gauchos all afternoon. Saddleback's Santos (17-2) got a reality check against the leagues top hitting team when she gave up eight runs (six earned) on six hits and four walks, in 5.2 innings of work.

Sophomores Jessica Reichner and Chelsea Jewett both went 2 for 4 at the plate. Reichner continued to swing a hot bat for the Chargers, ending the day with three RBI that all came on a bases-clearing triple to right center in the game-ending five-run rally. Reichner also scored twice in the contest, including the fourth run of the inning in the bottom of the sixth when Arren Nunez drove her in with a single to right. Nunez would eventually come around to score the decisive eighth and final run of the game on an RBI single by Jewett. Nunez finished with a pair of runs scored to go with her one RBI. Kristina Victa accounted for two Charger runs, while Melissa Mankey and Natalia Morales each scored on Reichner's triple in the sixth.

After four shutout innings by both pitchers, Cypress finally got to Santos in the bottom of the fifth when Victa, Nunez and Reichner all scored to put Cypress ahead 3-0 over a Saddleback squad that continued to struggle at the plate in its half of the sixth.

The Cypress bats were just beginning  to warm up in the bottom half of the inning.

After a quick out to start their at-bat in the sixth, the Chargers loaded the bases with their best hitter stepping into the box. Reichner didn't dissapoint the fans in attendance when she smoked a three-run triple to right center that sent Victa, Mankey and Morales home to make it a 6-0 contest at the time. Reichner and Nunez would come in to cross the plate with the final two runs of the contest in the Chargers 8-0 Orange Empire Conference win over Saddleback College.

After two dominating performances against Saddleback this year, Cypress College showed the OEC's second place Saddleback Gauchos that they have a lot more work to do if they hope to win a conference crown.

Cypress plays again on Friday when Santa Ana College comes to town for a 2 p.m. matchup at Cypress College.

Chargers Exterminate Hornets

Arren Nunez

Arren Nunez hits a grand Slam to lift Cypress past Fullerton College.

Cypress, Calif. - Cypress College softball bounced back from their first Orange Empire Conference loss of the year with a mercy rule shortened 12-3 pounding of the over-matched Fullerton College Hornets at home on Friday.

The Chargers (18-4, 9-1) scored 12 runs on a 13 hit offensive eruption that was led by sophomore Jessica Reichner's 3 for 5 day at the plate. Reichner finished with three RBI and two runs scored. Mallory Campbell also chipped in with three hits against the Hornets (4-12, 1-8). Arren Nunez had a team-high four RBI after blasting a grand slam over the left center field wall in a six run bottom of the third for Cypress College.

Cypress finished off Fullerton with the mercy rule when Reichner hit a two-RBI triple in the bottom of the sixth.

The Chargers Stephanie Luhmann earned her sixth win of the year after coming into relieve starting pitcher Monique Hernandez in the first inning. Luhmann struck out six in four innings of shutout ball.

Cypress returns to action next week when they host Saddleback College on Wednesday, March 21 at 3 p.m.

Chargers Fall to Tigers 2-1 in Eight Innings

Back-to-back two-out hits gave Riverside College the win over Cypress on Wednesday.

• BOX SCORE

Stephanie Luhmann

Riverside, Calif. - Cypress College's hopes for an undefeated season in Orange Empire Conference play this year vanished yesterday afternoon after a heartbreaking 2-1 loss to Riverside College (13-6, 7-2) on road Wednesday.

The second regular season matchup between the Chargers (17-4, 8-1) and the Tigers turned into a pitchers dual early on. Neither team could get their offense going against Cypress' Stephanie Luhmann (5-1) or Riverside's Nicole Zink (9-3).

Luhmann nearly pitched her way out of the eighth inning jam, but that last out turned out to be elusive. Luhmann was dealing all day and finished with 11 strikeouts in 7.2 innings on the mound for Cypress.

Riverside got on the board first with a run in the bottom half of the fourth, but Cypress would tie the game at 1-1 in the sixth after Chelsea Jewett legged out a bunt single, then stole second to give the Chargers a runner in scoring position. Tiffany Fox came through with a clutch RBI double that scored Jewett to get the game back to even at 1-1.

The Tigers looked to be going down in order in the bottom of the tenthinning before RCC strung together a pair of back-back hits to hand the Chargers their first OEC loss of the season, and fourth overall.

Cypress will return home on Friday to host Fullerton College at 2 p.m., in the first game of a four-game homestand.

Cypress Sweeps Doubleheader Over Citrus and Grossmont

The Chargers had to rally to beat Citrus, before blowing Grossmont out in the final game of the day.

• BOX SCORE - CYPRESS 3, CITRUS 2   
• BOX SCORE - CYPRESS 13, GROSSMONT 3

Cypress, Calif. - The Chargers (16-3) began their long day with a tight 3-2 victory over Citrus College at home on Saturday. The second game went much smoother for Cypress in a 13-4 win over Grossmont College to close out the day.

Chelsea Jewett

Courtney McGee (7-2) came in from the bullpen to earn the victory over Citrus on Saturday. Cypress starter Stephanie Luhmann (5-0) began the game as a starter, and ended it as a closer to secure the victory over the Owls.

In the second game of the day, Monique Hernandez (5-1) dominated Grossmont right from the start as the Chargers used an eight run bottom of the first to blow the game wide open before the Griffins even knew what hit them.

Arren Nun

Arren Nunez was unstoppable in the win over the Griffins by going a perfect 4 for 4 at the plate with a run scored and four RBI. Mallory Campbell scored twice and drove in two runs. Katie Zwickl and Katrina Weber both had a couple RBI's on in the game, while four different Chargers scored two runs or more in the game.

Hits were a little harder to come by in the first game of the day as Cypress pulled out the 3-2 win over Citrus College, despite being out-hit 8 to 3 in the game. Melissa Mankey had two of the three hits, and a run scored for the Chargers.

Chelsea Jewett's two-run triple in the bottom of the fifth proved to be the key to victory for Cypress. That made it a 3-1 game heading into the ninth where Cypress was able to hold off an Owls rally that made it a one run game.

Cypress will return to Orange Empire Conference action on Friday March 16 when NOCCCD rival Fullerton College comes to town.

Cypress shakes hands after win over Grossmont.

Cypress Pounds Santiago Canyon at Home

Tiffany Fox drove in five runs and scored three times in the win.

• BOX SCORE

Cypress, Calif. - Cypress College (15-3, 8-0) picked up its second victory of the year over Santiago Canyon College (9-15, 3-5) at home on Friday with a runaway 16-1 win.

Tiffany Fox led the charge with five RBI and three runs scored. Sophomore Jessica Reichner continued her hot hitting with 2 for 4 day that included two runs scored and three runs batted in. Kristina Victa, Arren Nunez and Chelsea Jewett each scored two times in the game as well.

Monique Hernandez (4-1) went the distance in a five-inning shortened game to earn her fourth victory of 2012. Hernandez only allowed one run (unearned) on two hits.
'
The Chargers used two big eight-run innings in the bottom of the second, and again in the bottom of the fourth, to blow this game wide open and earn their league leading eighth Orange Empire Conference victory of the year. Fox's three-run inside the park homerun in the second inning was the first homerun of her short career at Cypress.

Cypress will play a split doubleheader tomorrow when it hosts Grossmont at 11 a.m. on Saturday, March 10, 2012 and Citrus at 3 p.m.. Grossmont and Citrus will face off against each other in the middle game of the afternoon at 1 p.m.

Luhmann Fans 12 in Chargers Win

Freshman Stephanie Luhmann strikes out a career high 12 Rustlers in Chargers 4-2 win.

• BOX SCORE

Stephanie Luhmann

Cypress, Calif. - Cypress remains undefeated in Orange Empire Conference play after beating Golden West College 4-1 at home on Wednesday afternoon.

Cypress (14-3, 7-0) starting pitcher Stephanie Luhmann struck out a season high 12 batters in a complete game four-hitter against the Rustlers (5-12, 2-4), who didn’t get on the board until the sixth inning.

Jessica Reichner led the way for Cypress at the plate with a 3 for 4 effort that included one run, and one RBI. Arren Nunez and Mallory Campbell each went 1 for 4 with a run and an RBI as well. Tiffany Fox was 2 for 3 batting, while Natalia Morales and Courtney McGee each chipped in with a hit each.

The Chargers scored a run in their first two at bats to take an early 2-0 advantage after two innings. 

Campbell scored Cypress College's first run of the game when she came in to score on a wild pitch in the bottom of the first inning.

Reichner singled in Kristina Victa from third for the Chargers second run of the game to give Cypress a two-run cushion over Golden West College. 

Cypress scored twice more in the bottom of the fifth to open up a 4-0 lead when Nunez drove in Reichner for the third run of the game, and Campbell singled through the left side to put the Chargers up by four runs.

Golden West got a run back in the top of the sixth, and another in the seventh to cut Cypress’ lead in half, but that would be all the scoring for the rest of the game as the Chargers earned their seventh OEC win of the year with a 4-2 victory over GWC at home.

Cypress takes on Santiago Canyon College at 2 p.m. on Friday for the second time this season, before hosting Grossmont College and Citrus College in a three-way doubleheader on Saturday. Cypress faces off against Grossmont at 10 a.m., and Citrus at 3 p.m.

Cypress Grounds Citrus 6-3

Chargers erupt for four-runs in the fifth to break game open.

• BOX SCORE

Arren Nunez

Glendora, Calif. - Cypress College softball picked up a 6-3 non-conference road victory over Citrus College on Tuesday.

Courtney McGee picked up the win on the mound, and helped her cause by hitting a home run and driving in a pair of RBI. Arren Nunez finished with a pair of hits that included a triple, an RBI, and a run scored. Natalia Morales knocked in two runs and scored once, and Mallory Campbell drove in a run and crossed the plate once. Chelsea Jewett and Jessica Reichner accounted for the two other Cypress runs in the game.

Cypress (13-3) went into the top of the fifth inning tied at 2-2 with Citrus College (10-6), but a four-run outburst in the top half of the inning broke the game wide open. Citrus would add one run in the bottom of the seventh, but it wasn't enough to catch the Chargers in a 6-3 non-conference win.

Cypress returns home on Wednesday to host Golden West College in an Orange Empire Conference game scheduled to start at 3 p.m.

Chargers Split at Bakersfield

Bakersfield, Calif. - Cypress College went 2-2 on its road trip to Bakersfield College this past weekend by picking up wins over Southwestern College and Cerritos College, while losing their second game of the year to College of the Canyons, and losing their final game of the weekend to host Bakersfield 1-0.

Cypress Routs Saddleback

Mission Viejo, Calif - Cypress College beat Saddleback College 7-1 to push its record to 4-0 in the Orange Empire Conference standings.

Cypress Shuts Out Fullerton

Fullerton, Calif.- Cypress blanked Fullerton College 5-0 to remain undefeated in Orange Empire Conference play.

Chargers Cruise Past Santiago Canyon

Orange, Calif. - The Cypress College softball team cruised to an Orange Empire Conference victory over Santiago Canyon College on the road.

Chargers Cruise Past Tigers in OEC Opener

Courtney McGee went the distance in a 5-1 Cypress College victory over Riverside C.C.

Mallory Campbell

Cypress, Calif. - One day after being rained out in its conference opener, Cypress College (4-1) got its first Orange Empire Conference win of the season after cruising to a 5-1 victory over Riverside C.C. (3-3) in their league opener at home on Thursday.

The third-ranked Chargers opened up a five-run first inning lead after batting around stand up behind a good outing on the mound by Courtney McGee (2-0), who went the distance. McGee finished with nine strikeouts and only one run allowed on five Tiger hits.

Mallory Campbell got the Chargers on the board first with a two-run double off of Riverside starting pitcher Kendall Apodaca, that brought in sophomores Jessica Reichner and Arren Nunez to give Cypress a 2-0 lead.

Katrina Weber made it a 4-0 game a few batters later with a single through the left side that sent Tiffany Fox and Mallory Campbell in to score. Kristina Victa capped off the inning with an RBI single that plated Weber for the Chargers fifth run of the inning.

That would be all the scoring the Chargers would get the rest of the way, but they didn't need anything more with the way McGee was dealing. The Tigers couldn't do much at the plate, but a pitching change to last year's OEC pitcher of the year Nicole Zink in the bottom of the fourth helped keep the Charger bats scoreless in their final three at-bats.

Cypress has a full slate of games on the schedule for next week, beginning with a make-up game at Santiago Canyon at 3 p.m. on February 21, then two more road conference matchups against Fullerton College at 3 p.m. on Wednesday, February 22, and Saddleback College at 3 p.m. on Friday, February 24.

The Chargers close out the week with a four-game set at Bakersfield College - the field where they won the last two CCCAA State Championships - when they face-off against Cerritos College at noon, and Southwestern at 2 p.m. on Saturday, February 25. On Sunday, Cypress its seven game marathon with a 10 a.m. matchup against host Bakersfield at 10 a.m., before getting a rematch against with Canyons at noon.

Cypress Tops East L.A. 3-1

The Chargers remained undefeated after edging East L.A. 3-1 on the road.

Arreen Nunez

Los Angeles, Calif. - Cypress College (2-0) got an early season test on Wednesday when it squeaked by East L.A. 3-1 in a non-conference road victory.

The victory pushed the two-time defending state champs record to a perfect 2-0 on the season. Check back for stats and game recap.

Cypress will get back in action this Saturday when it hosts Santa Barbara and College of the Canyons in a three-way doubleheader at the Cypress College Softball Complex. The Chargers will take on Santa Barbara at 10:30 a.m., before finishing the day against Canyons at 3 p.m.

Chargers Open Season with Rout of Long Beach City

Cypress scores nine runs on 10 hits to cruise to a 9-1 victory over LBCC in its season opener.

• Box Score
  

Jessica Reichner

Cypress, Calif. - Sophomore Jessica Reichner scored twice and drove in a pair of runs to help lead Cypress College to a 9-1 victory over Long Beach City College in its season opener on Tuesday.

Freshman pitcher Stephanie Luhmann no-hit the Vikings for three innings to earn her first victory in a Charger uniform. Courtney McGee, Mallory Campbell and Arren Nunez also drove in runs in Cypress' victory.

The Chargers took an early lead with a pair of runs in bottom of the first, then added two more in the second inning to go up 3-0, before blowing the game wide open with a six-run third inning that sealed the win for the two-time defending state champions.

Cypress looks to push its record to 2-0 on Wednesday when it travels to East L.A. for a 3 p.m. non-conference road game.