Rustlers Drop Regular Season Finale to Cypress, Await Playoff Fate
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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1 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 6 | 9 | 1 |
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0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 7 | 2 |
HUNTINGTON BEACH, Calif. — Golden West College closed out its regular season Thursday afternoon with a 6-1 home loss to Orange Empire Conference powerhouse Cypress College, as the visiting Chargers used a fast start and a strong pitching performance to keep the Rustlers at bay.
The defeat drops Golden West to 23-12 overall and 9-9 in OEC play, while Cypress improves to 31-9 and 15-3, clinching a top spot in the conference standings.
The Chargers wasted no time getting on the board, scoring in each of the first three innings to build a commanding 5-0 lead. A sacrifice fly by Makayla Motis opened the scoring in the first, followed by an error and a three-run third that included an RBI triple from Carly Parmenter and back-to-back RBI singles by Mickayla Galaviz and Madylyn Wynia.
Golden West's lone run came in the fourth when Reggi Frei tripled and scored on an infield single from Lola Weber, trimming the deficit to 5-1. However, the Rustlers were unable to mount any further rally against Cypress starter Haley Tucker, who tossed a complete game, allowing seven hits and striking out five for her first win of the season.
The Rustlers had multiple chances throughout the game, putting runners on in five of seven innings, but were held scoreless outside of Weber's RBI hit.
Isabella Santiago, Allyssa DeMayo, and Sara Aguilar each had hits for Golden West, while Rachel Keys added a pinch-hit single late. On the mound, Desyree Arizmendi (12-9) took the loss, giving up five runs (four earned) in two innings. Angelique Perez came in for long relief and held Cypress to just one run over the final five frames.
Despite the loss, the Rustlers now turn their focus to the postseason as they await their playoff fate this weekend. Golden West has put together a strong body of work this season with 23 wins and key victories in conference play, and they remain in the hunt for a potential at-large bid to the CCCAA Southern California Regional.
Stay tuned for playoff announcements expected later this weekend.
