The Cypress High softball team gave the Pacifica High team a battle, but the Mariners scored the game-winning run in the bottom of the seventh inning for a 3-2 win over the Centurions on Thursday at Pacifica High.
The win kept the Mariners alone in first place in the Empire League race, with the Centurions in second place. Cypress had taken a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning. Jenelle Martinez and Jessica Martinez each reached on singles and junior shortstop Paige Hallam hit a double to drive in both runners.
Cypress was able to hold the 2-0 lead through four innings, but the Mariners tied the game in the bottom of the fifth with an RBI single by Shelby Shultez and an RBI double by Alyssa Burt. Burt would also drive in the game-winner in the bottom of the seventh inning with a grounder that bounced over the glove of an infielder.
Pitcher Maddy Byrd pitched a steady game, striking out six and giving up just one walk. The Centurions entered this week at 6-2 in Empire League play with two games left in the regular season.
Cypress was at Valencia on Tuesday, May 10 and hosted Kennedy in a key game on Thursday May 12. Kennedy entered the week at 5-3.
