With just two weeks left in the regular season, the Cypress and Kennedy High baseball teams have separated themselves from pack in the Empire League race. Both teams were 6-0 coming into this week, tied for the league lead. They square off on May 10 and 12, the final two games of the regular season.
Last week, Cypress survived a close game at Pacifica High, then jumped out to a 4-1 lead and held off the Mariners, 6-3, at Cypress High in the second game. In the second game, Isaiah Parra had a home run and four RBIs to lead the Centurions offense. Isaak Gutierrez, Aaron Lizarraga, Ryan McCanless and Ezele Wicks also scored runs for Cypress.
James Acuna was the winning pitcher, going seven innings with seven strikeouts and just two earned runs allowed. Two days earlier, the Centurions had survived a 2-1 game against the Mariners after a couple of bizarre occurrences.
After three scoreless innings, Dominic Fletcher broke the tie with a solo home run in the top of the fourth inning to give the Centurions a 1-0 lead. In the bottom of the fourth, the Mariners threatened when they loaded the bases with no outs.
A hit by pitch, error and bunt single loaded the bases. Pitcher Raul Salazar got a double-play ground ball for two outs, but the Mariners scored a run on the play. After that, Salazar got a grounder back to the mound to end the inning with a 1-1 tie. In the top of the fifth, Jason Baca drew a leadoff walk and took second on a sacrifice bunt by Bradley Butler. After a fly out, Baca would score the eventual winning run on a double by Isaak Gutierrez.
In the sixth, the Centurions would bring another run around, but the runner was called out on ruling that he missed third base on his way around. Later, a runner stole third with one out, but was sent back to second when the home plate umpire called interference on himself for hindering the catcher’s ability to make the throw.
The runner would advance back to third on a ground ball that could have potentially brought him home, but was stranded at third. Salazar went the distance with just five hits allowed to get the win. Pacifica had runners at first and third with one out in the sixth, but a double-play ground ball got them out of the inning. Salazar set the Mariners down in order in the bottom of the seventh.
Kennedy keeps pace with sweep of Valencia
The Kennedy High baseball team held off Valencia in two wins last week, defeating the Tigers, 8-1 at home, and then 2-1 at Valencia, two days later.
In the 2-1 win, pitcher Jarett Velez scattered five hits in seven innings with four strikeouts and just one run allowed. Velez also sparked the offense, going 3 for 3 with a double, RBI and run scored. James Allen also had a hit on offense.
In the 8-1 win, a Dillon Paningsoro home run and Austin Criss RBI triple highlighted the big offensive output for the Fighting Irish.
Cypress remaining games
May 4 – at Valencia, 3:15 p.m.
May 6 – vs. Valencia, 3:15 p.m.
May 10 – vs. Kennedy, 3:15 p.m.
May 12 – at Kennedy, 3:15 p.m.
Kennedy remaining games
May 4 – vs. Tustin, 3:15 p.m.
May 6 – at Tustin, 3:15 p.m.
May 10 – at Cypress, 3:15 p.m.
May 12 – vs. Cypress, 3:15 p.m.