Golden West Wins First Two Versus Cypress

Huntington Beach, CA - Golden West baseball (20-10, 7-4 OEC) takes the first two games against the Cypress Chargers (17-12-1, 3-8 OEC), 7-4. 

Golden West hosted the Cypress Chargers for the middle game of their three-game series at Fred Hoover Field. The Rustlers took the first game at Cypress College on Tuesday when the offense was successful in a come from behind win. Down by one run in the seventh, the bats exploded for four runs for the lead change and insurance runs. Though Golden West got out hit by double, they made their opportunities count and won the series opener, 8-5. 

The back and forth behavior continued to start the second game at Golden West College. Cypress tallied an RBI for the advantage in their first opportunity, 0-1. The Rustlers immediately responded with a run to tie the game. Zech Samayoa floated a fly ball to left field to allow Kaleb Duncacn to tag and score from third, 1-1. The Chargers returned the favor with an RBI sacrifice fly to regain the lead, 1-2. In the top of the sixth, Cypress added two insurance runs from three hits but left the bases loaded, 1-4. 

The Rustlers put some pressure on the Chargers as the offense shrunk the deficit. Duncan led off the bottom of the sixth with a hit by pitch. He would steal second to put a runner in scoring position for Andrew Kirchner.  With two outs, the first baseman laced a single up the middle for an RBI and made it a two run game, 2-4. Later in the inning, Jack Salmon singled in Kirchner to come within one, 3-4. 

Golden West's offense began their comeback in the bottom of the eight with the first two batters able to reach. Dylan Lina walked to lead it off and Salmon snuck a ground ball hit through the 4-3 hole to the right side. Robert Castillo laid down a bunt down the third base side and beat the throw for a single as the ball got away. On the error, the three base runners advanced and Lina crossed home to tie the game, 4-4. 

With the infield shifted in, Rocco Caballero smacked a single for the game winning RBI hit, 5-4. A crucial throwing mistake by the Chargers infield allowed a Rustler to touch home and grew the lead, 6-4. Duncan added an insurance run as he roped a double to the left center gap for an RBI and extended the lead, 7-4. 

JJ Robles shut the door in the final inning to earn the win and take the first two games from Cypress, 7-4. At the top of the lineup, Duncan tallied two big hits for an RBI and two runs scored. Kirchner smacked a hit, crossed home and was responsible for an RBI. Jack Smith started on the bump for the home team and went 5.0 frames with three runs allowed and struck out seven. Robles shoved two scoreless innings to close out the game and earn the win. 

UP NEXT: Golden West will conclude the series against the Chargers at Cypress College on Saturday, April 6th. First pitch will be at 12pm.