Cypress Ends Its Long Hiatus by Shutting Out Saddleback

It seems almost impossible after playing 63 games in the regular season, but Cypress Coach Brad Pickler said his team was a little rusty going into the first day of the Southern California playoffs.

But the Chargers, who had been off almost two weeks, still won twice, and are one victory away from their ninth consecutive berth in the state tournament.

The Chargers struggled to beat Saddleback, 4-0, in the first round then defeated Antelope Valley, 9-1, in a second-round game that was stopped in the fifth because of the mercy rule.

“We just couldn’t get anything going in the first game,” Pickler said. “We are a better team in tournaments there’s no doubt. We just seem to start rolling.”

While the offense struggled, pitcher Jamie Wilkes remained as consistent as ever.

She pitched four shutout innings to each game and got the a pair of victories to improve to 34-3.

Jessica Walker had the big hit in the second game, a two-run single in the third that put the Chargers (61-4) ahead, 5-0.

Melissa Beck had two hits and also drove in a run in the victory over Antelope Valley. Rockie Vandiver stole four bases and scored twice and Autumn Ginner scored the other two runs as Cypress beat Saddleback, 4-0, despite getting only three hits.